Iowa Condition of the State Address, unemployment update, Scott County Legislative Forums, State of the City Address

Iowa Condition of the State Address

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her first Condition of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 11. In it, she proposed establishing a flat 4% individual income tax, eliminating the retirement income tax, reforming Iowa's corporate income tax and exempting net capital gains on the sale of employee-awarded capital stock. She also highlighted her goals to make Iowa an employment destination, improve access to childcare, building Iowa's healthcare workforce, preparing students for the workforce, providing educational choice and transparency, and growing the fuels for the future. 

The Quad Cities Chamber issued the following response to Governor Reynold’s Condition of the State Address: 

The Chamber is acutely aware of the workforce challenges faced by our business community resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are encouraged by the strong fiscal state of Iowa’s budget as it positions the State for further tax reform and opportunities to address barriers to employment. We will continue to advocate for businesses throughout our region. We will fight for policies that help small businesses, create jobs, and opportunities that will create an attractive State for employers and residents alike. The Chamber looks forward to working with Gov. Reynolds and other elected officials to address our workforce challenges, create a competitive tax environment, and fund transformative placemaking initiatives.

Iowa unemployment update

Changes to Iowa’s unemployment system went into effect Monday, Jan. 10. Iowa Work Force Development (IWD) launched a Reemployment Case Management system to provide one-on-one career coaching. Weekly work search requirements were increased from two to four. At the same time, IWD’s list of 27 activities that currently qualify as “reemployment activity” will be trimmed to 12, ensuring that claimants are focused on those activities that are most likely to help them find rewarding careers. Exceptions apply. Work search requirements will be audited on a weekly basis.

Iowa Legislative Forums

Businesses and residents can speak directly to Iowa Senators and Representatives on Saturday, Jan. 15 during a Scott County Legislative Forum sponsored by the Chamber. Legislators will be available for one-on-one conversations from 10–10:30 a.m., followed by the group forum which ends at noon. Former Iowa Senator Maggie Tinsman convened the group to bring bipartisan candidate forums back to Scott County. This is the first in a series of four, and can be attended virtually or in person at the Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive. Follow the Scott County Legislative Forum Facebook page for further details on this week's event and future forums scheduled for Feb. 19, March 19, and April 9.

State of the City Address

Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms provided the annual State of the City Address to update the region on what the City accomplished in 2021 and its direction and focus in 2022.