Quad Cities Chamber unveils 2020 legislative priorities

Advocating for the creation of the Quad Cities Regional Metropolitan Authority for investment in quality of life and infrastructure initiatives tops the Quad Cities Chamber's 2020 public policy agenda.

For the first time, instead of identifying separate priorities in Iowa and Illinois, the Chamber set one advocacy agenda for the Quad Cities region. The Chamber is committed to advocating for public policies that enhance the region's economic competitiveness, benefit Chamber members and increase investment in the region.

The following priorities were determined after collecting and analyzing results from a membership-wide survey on policy issues: 

Regional Funding

• Advocate for the creation of a Quad Cities Regional Metropolitan Authority that allows for investment in quality of life and infrastructure initiatives on a regional basis, creating a bi-state regional funding mechanism that will support the advancement of Q2030 goals

Workforce Readiness and Education

• Support policies that develop, attract and retain our workforce
• Push for meaningful and equitable education funding and reforms for all levels of education, including PreK–12, community colleges and four-year public and private colleges and universities
• Advocate for initiatives, such as Future Ready Iowa, that build our workforce and talent pipelines
• Support development of placemaking and quality of life projects, such as Enhance Iowa, that help attract and retain workers in the region 

Business Climate and Economic Competitiveness

• Advocate for tax reform that is fair, competitive, simple and spurs economic growth
• Protect economic development incentives beneficial to the Quad Cities, such as Historic Tax Credit and tax increment financing (TIF)
• Encourage competitive workers’ compensation rates in Iowa and Illinois

Regional Flood Plan

• Work with partners to develop a long-term, comprehensive regional flood plan to protect businesses, infrastructure and other assets throughout the Quad Cities region

Early Childhood Education

• Advocate for access to affordable and adequate early childhood care, which is a workforce issue as well as an education and quality of life issue

Transportation

• Ensure completion of passenger rail route between Quad Cities and Chicago

Over the years the success of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts has been driven by the strength of Chamber members collectively advancing the region’s priorities. If you want to engage on issues that matter to your business and inform the Chamber of your needs, sign up for the new Advocacy Action Center.

If you have any questions about the Chamber’s advocacy efforts, please contact Government Affairs.