Hear from the Candidates: Iowa House of Representatives

posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Government Affairs

Advocacy is a central part of Grow Cedar Valley’s mission to support economic development in the region. As part of these efforts, we reached out to Iowa House of Representatives to understand their perspectives on key economic issues impacting the Cedar Valley.

Grow Cedar Valley received a joint response from Iowa House Representatives Bob Kressig (District 75), Jerome Amos Jr. (District 62), and Timi Brown-Powers (District 61). Below, we've provided their unedited responses.

Please note that the views expressed by the candidates do not reflect the views of Grow Cedar Valley. As a nonpartisan organization, we do not endorse any candidate or political party.

Economic Development and Business Growth

What federal or state-level policies do you support that would promote economic growth in our region, and how would you advocate for these in your role?

How would you work to secure federal/state funding or grants for infrastructure and economic development projects in our area?

What do you see as the keys to growing our local economy, and if elected how can you help?

**Please see below

Workforce Development and Education

What specific actions will you take to improve workforce development programs and align them with the needs of businesses in our state/region?

***This session through the Economic Development budget the Legislature funded the Manufacturing 4.0 grants for businesses. The program provides grants to small and mid-sized manufacturers with three to 125 employees to assist with the adoption, integration, and purchase of smart technologies in the manufacturing process. The program was previously funded with federal COVID money.

***The U.S. Department of Labor recently approved the Iowa Office of Apprenticeship under Workforce Development. This office will approve apprenticeships for the state. The office is fully staffed up and has started working with businesses to create apprenticeship programs.

**The business community continually asks for more trained workers. House Democrats have supported through bills and amendments increased funding for education, including post-secondary education (see below for details).

**The business community recognizes that Iowa has a housing shortage, especially affordable housing, because their workers are struggling to find housing. In addition to the People Over Politics housing plan (see below) the Legislature increased the funding for the Housing Renewal Pilot Program this session in the Eco Devo budget to $550,000. The program is for Habitat for Humanity to provide grants to local organizations to rehab blighted homes. The homes are then sold to low and moderate income families.

How would you support educational institutions, including community colleges and vocational schools, in preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow?

What is your stance on funding and support for Regents institutions, such as the University of Northern Iowa, and how do you see their role in contributing to the state’s educational and economic landscape?

***Please see Below

Legislative Priorities and Governance

What are your top legislative priorities related to economic development, and how will these benefit our region specifically?

How do you plan to work across the aisle to pass legislation that supports economic growth and addresses the needs of the business community?

**Many of our answers can be addressed through our People Over Politics plan and/or issues that we have stood up on the floor and spoken about. Below is a list of our People Over Politics, identified bill numbers and other ideas to address your questions. We are more then open to feedback and would love the opportunity to visit with Grow Cedar Valley members like we have done in the past. Would also like to know if folks have specific legislative ideas we could draft this coming session.

Economic Development and Business Growth:

**We work directly with Director Townsend and always make sure the Cedar Valley is at the top if her list. We have been fortunate to have her and her staff visit our community in person on several occasions. We support any and all efforts of building a Strong workforce. Some legislation that may help:

Bring back collective bargaining, including adding the right to organize to Iowa’s Constitution (HJR 2003 - Jerome and Timi sponsored)
Expand unemployment benefits for persons who have been affected by closures and layoffs
Prohibit union busting. I know this varies in our business community, but definitely open to more discussion.
Stop culture attacks (LGBTQ, Reproductive Freedom) - makes it harder to recruit and maintain talent. These are areas that push some of our young folks to look elsewhere.
Affordable housing legislation.
The People of Over Politics Plan also includes:
Creating a $15 million tax credit program for affordable housing units, which leverages $23 million more in federal funds.
Expanding the first-time homebuyers savings account which offers a tax-free solution for home savings. (HF 697 - all of us sponsored)
Creating a neighborhood grant program for homeowners to make necessary improvements to their homes. Households making $109,000 or less are eligible for up to $20,000. (HF 693 - all of us sponsored)
Child care which I feel the Cedar Valley is Leading in this area. Thanks to Mary Janssen and area Businesses!!
Increase the child and dependent care tax credit to match federal credit. (HF 695, Div.I - all 3 of us sponsored)
Creating a new Child Care Center and Child Development Home Grant Fund for costs related to the establishment of new licensed child care centers or a new child development home, or the expansion of an existing facility. (HF 695, Div.II - all 3 of us sponsored)
Provide a small business child care tax credit, up to $3,000 per employee, per year, to help fund a child care center at the business site. (HF 695, Div.III - all 3 of us sponsored)
Allow more families to receive Child Care Assistance (CCA) by increasing the eligible federal poverty level (FPL) from 160% or 200%. (HF 695, Div.IV - all 3 of us sponsored)
Adequate funding for public K-12, community colleges, and regent institutions is essential.
We all have Opposition to AEA changes and I feel this will have a negative effect on our children and families across Iowa.
To address the rising costs of higher education and hold Iowa Regents institutions harmless, House Democrats introduced HF 2352 (all 3 us sponsored):
In-state freshman undergraduate attending ISU, UNI, or UI would have the same tuition and fees for all four years (does not apply to out-of-state students or graduate students)

While the freshman class the following year may have higher tuition/fees, it would also be frozen at the same level for four years.

Requires the Legislature to annually pass a supplemental appropriation to the Regents to equal the reduction in tuition and mandatory fees.

**My (Timi Brown-Powers) personal goals this session is to build a balanced budget, assure money is allocated where Iowans need it the most. Continue my work with Representative Kressig on Mental Health and work locally as the new program takes shape. And overall be available and communicate with constituents as we write and pass legislation.

For more information, please contact:

Steve Firman

Director of Government Affairs

steve@growcedarvalley.com