I walked over to the Greater Des Moines Partnership this morning to ask Joe Murphy how the Partnership’s legislative priorities fared on Friday, the day many bills “died” in the second funnel. Nothing is really ever dead, should leadership decide to include the language in another bill, for example, but the odds of passage drop considerably if the bill hasn’t gained committee support by the funnel. Appropriations bills remain alive.

Overall, Murphy, the Partnership’s chief staffer on legislative issues, feels good about what has happened so far. Here’s a rundown:

— Two elements of the popular Future Ready Iowa initiative are making their way through the Legislature. Senate File 608 would provide an extra $1.2 million for an employer innovation fund, and House File 758 would provide $14 million for “last dollar scholarships” to help students in high-demand fields where there are worker shortages. “We are thrilled by both,” Murphy said. 

— The Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, which is key to many projects, including the future reconstruction of the Des Moines International Airport terminal, would set aside $3.7 million for commercial and general aviation projects, an increase of $1.5 million. That will make it easier to lobby for federal support, Murphy said. “We can show the feds that the state of Iowa is serious about airports as an economic development tool,” he added. 

— The Empower Rural Iowa Act would provide a $5 million boost to $20 million for workforce housing credits. Murphy said the Partnership would like to see a $10 million boost, but is “really excited” by the progress. The related bills are House Study Bill 204 and Senate Study Bill 1193.

Here is the status of a couple of bills the Partnership opposes, or is neutral on:

— House Study Bill 165 would limit local government property tax growth, which the local governments have opposed. The Partnership is neutral on the bill.

— Legislation that would have allowed private businesses to deny services to LGBT patrons is dead for the session. The Partnership opposes the legislation, Murphy said, because the Partnership supports welcoming visitors and new residents regardless of their orientation. Legislation like the bill introduced this year could directly cost the area both workers and events, such as the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, which just made its second run in Des Moines, Murphy said. A third bid for the tournament is expected, he added.