DAVENPORT, Iowa — The Quad Cities Chamber has released its annual legislative agenda.
The list of priorities is meant to help the chamber decide what issues chamber officials want to focus on in meetings with lawmakers during the upcoming legislative session. Topics include economic growth, quality of life improvements and talent development.
“Each priority was shaped by the conversations we’ve had with business and community leaders, discussions with our boards and committees, and a survey of members,” Ryan Sempf, the chamber's executive director of government affairs said.
Alongside the legislative agenda, the chamber also unveiled its new online bill tracker, which will allow businesses to keep up on potential laws that could impact their businesses. The tracker will also note which bills the chamber is supporting, opposing or monitoring.
You can review the entire list of the chamber's priorities below:
Federal Priorities
Long-Term Priorities
- Regional Public-Private Partnership
- Passenger Rail
- Rock Island Arsenal
Business & Economic Growth
- Protect, enhance and improve programs to support economic development, business attraction and business retention
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment
- Promote a business-friendly tax environment
- Extend key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act including opportunity zones and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction
Quality of Place
- Maximize funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
- Encourage federal support for Lock & Dam enhancements on the Mississippi River
Workforce & Talent Development
- Advocate for bipartisan solutions to immigration to increase the total workforce available to U.S. employers
- Address persistent barriers to employment including childcare, housing and transportation
- Support increased funding and flexibility for Pell Grants
Illinois Priorities
Long-Term Priorities
- Regional Public-Private Partnership
- Passenger Rail
Business & Economic Growth
- Promote tax and incentive reforms that level the playing field on both sides of the river
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment
- Support policies that advance clean, reliable energy sources
Quality of Place
- Advocate for continued support of placemaking and amenity development
- Promote programs that incentivize redevelopment and restoration of blighted neighborhoods
- Enhance legislation for business improvement districts
- Maximize funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
Workforce & Talent Development
- Address persistent barriers to employment in a sustainable manner including childcare, transportation and housing
- Promote enhanced support for second-chance employment
- Maximize funding and flexibility for all levels of education (Pre K-12, trades, 2 and 4-year college)
- Expand bi-state training and certification reciprocity
Iowa Priorities
Long-Term Priorities
- Regional Public-Private Partnership
Business & Economic Growth
- Protect and enhance economic development programs
- Promote a business-friendly tax environment
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment
- Support policies to advance clean and reliable energy sources
Quality of Place
- Continue funding for tourism and amenity development programs
- Promote new programs to incentivize or support investment in amenities and neighborhoods
- Maximize funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law and inflation reduction act
Workforce & Talent Development
- Address persistent barriers to employment in a sustainable manner including childcare, transportation, and housing
- Promote enhanced support for second-chance employment
- Maximize funding and flexibility for all levels of education (PreK-12, trades, 2 and 4-year college)
- Expand bi-state training and certification reciprocity
Local Priorities
Long-Term Priorities
- Passenger Rail
- Rock Island Arsenal
Business & Economic Growth
- Create grants for small, local businesses with an emphasis on low-income census tracts
- Promote regulatory stability, predictability and fairness
- Encourage planning for long-term growth
Quality of Place
- Support the development of amenities within all downtowns and on the riverfront
- Support the implementation of complete streets in the urban core and throughout communities
- Promote redevelopment and revitalization of blighted neighborhoods
Workforce & Talent Development
- Promote housing availability at all price levels
- Improve transportation connectedness within and between municipalities
- Support efforts to improve schools across the QC region
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel
