The Rozenboom Report – January 20, 2018

by Ken Rozenboom

Now that we are in the second week, we’ve started our work in the subcommittee and committee process. We have been listening to presentations in our committees, and meeting with many groups and departments to discuss funding and priorities for the year.

Wednesday was Iowa Veterans Day at the Capitol and I had the opportunity to meet with veterans from my district. It was such an honor to talk to these individuals and hear their stories. Many of them discussed having easier access to healthcare in Iowa and legislation to assist veterans in finding employment and job opportunities.

One of the tools Iowa has for veterans is the Home Base Iowa program. This was an initiative started by Governor Terry Branstad to connect veterans and service members with jobs and opportunities in our state with the hopes of easing the transition back home. This program has proven to be a very successful way to support current and former service members and their families as they settle into life at home in Iowa.

I receive frequent communication from Iowans about water quality and how to improve it. I appreciate your input and we are continuing to work on this issue. At the end of session last year, the Senate passed a water quality bill – Senate File 512. This bill is similar to a bill passed by the House of Representatives two years ago. It provides for a long term, dedicated funding source for voluntary water quality improvement efforts and creates programs to address industrial, municipal, natural, and agricultural sources of nutrient runoff into Iowa’s water.

Senate Republicans, along with the House of Representatives and the governor, are dedicated to finding a water quality solution for Iowans. Many of Iowa’s farmers voluntarily fund tactics to reduce nutrient runoff in the water from their own pockets. A recent poll by Iowa State University found that overall spending by Iowa farmers, including cost-share from government or other sources, was potentially as high as $2.2 billion over a ten-year period.

We were proud to get this bill through the Senate and look forward to seeing our colleagues in the House take it up and send it to the governor’s desk for her signature.

Last month the Wall Street Journal wrote a column identifying states with the highest top tax rates. Iowa ranked fifth on this list, ahead of notoriously high tax states like New Jersey and Vermont. Iowa’s top statutory tax rate impacts so many Iowans and creates a “sticker shock” that has a detrimental impact on job growth. Some tax deductions help mitigate that rate. However, Iowa’s income tax remains a disincentive to work and invest in Iowa.

For the last several months Senate Republicans have been discussing the need for tax relief. Tax relief makes Iowa more competitive with surrounding states and in the global economy. A competitive business climate, one with low tax rates and a regulatory climate conducive to growth, encourages job creators in Iowa to expand. It entices people from outside of Iowa to take a longer look at a state with sound infrastructure, good schools, a knowledgeable workforce, and a high quality of life. The growth of career opportunities improves outcomes for Iowans. Higher demand for labor increases wages for working Iowans in a sustainable way. Wage growth helps them to reach their goals in life and to make a better future for the next generation.

As a result of federal tax reform, this week Apple announced it is bringing back hundreds of billions of dollars in earnings from other countries. It intends to invest billions of dollars in the American economy including creating 20,000 new jobs and providing bonuses to many of its workers.

As demonstrated this week, tax relief rewards work, encourages investment, and improves career opportunities. Bold change in Iowa can yield similar success on the Iowa level and the rewards can be felt for years to come.

Please join me at one of our upcoming legislative forums. I will be at Eggs & Issues held at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa next Saturday, January 27 from 8:30 to 9:30. And on February 3 I will be at the Bridgeview Center in Ottumwa from 9:30 to 11:30 at the League of Women Voters forum.