A growing group of business and conservation leaders plans a bigger push for a sales-tax increase expected to raise $180 million a year for recreation and conservation projects, many of which would help water quality, The Des Moines Register reported. Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy Coalition has drawn support from the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Iowa State Association of Counties, the Iowa Environmental Council, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Ducks Unlimited and close to 20 other groups. Many support the tax increase, which would feed a constitutionally protected state fund. Gov. Terry Branstad continues to oppose any sales tax increase, and legislative leaders have been cool to the idea. Supporters say that is shortsighted. “Clean water, healthy soils and enhanced natural spaces are not Democrat or Republican ideas, but rather vitally important pieces of Iowa that are directly tied to our economy and quality of life,” said Kirk Leeds, chief executive of the Iowa Soybean Association, a member of the coalition.