Lawmakers participating in the panel discussion included Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriott, D-West Des Moines, and Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale.

The Partnership’s priorities for 2023 include workforce readiness, regulatory reform, child care, housing, placemaking and the Des Moines International Airport improvement project.

In comments made prior to Tuesday’s event,Andrea Woodard (pictured), vice president of government relations and public policy, discussed each of the Partnership’s priorities in detail.

She said that the Legislature does a lot around the issue of workforce and recruitment and retention of talent, but that some of what the Partnership will be looking for is not only continued support for existing programs, but funding for new ones, too.

“It’s not something we should completely rely on the government for,” she said. “The Partnership has a number of initiatives that focus on the retention and recruitment of talent,and I think it’s also showcasing the programs and initiatives that we have here to our lawmakers to show them, perhaps, whether it’s ideas that could be supported through policy and funding.”

Woodard said the Partnership is also looking for lawmakers to find creative ways to address the state’s workforce issues.

One example, she said, might be tax incentives for individuals who move to Iowa to work. Legislation has been introduced in recent years but didn’t gain approval before the Legislature adjourned.

“It is a strategy we have talked internally about and would consider supporting with the approval of our [Government Policy Council] leadership,” Woodard said. “Those are, I think, the type of creative policies that have an opportunity to move the needle.”

On the issue of child care, Woodard said it’s too early to tell what will happen during the 2023 session because of the number of new legislators, but she believes there will be a lot of conversation about child care during the session.

“It remains a need and we will continue to share that message with lawmakers and support any efforts on how we can address the need for affordable and accessible child care,” she said.

Woodard said housing is also an important issue for the Partnership.

“In order to expand businesses you have to have a place for your employees to live,” she said. “I think it’s essential that we continue to talk about the need for workforce housing.”

Woodard said the state’s role is to invest in programs that have been successful, citing public-private partnerships in Grinnell and Pleasant Hill that she says have brought creative solutions to address the housing challenge.

She said the Partnership will continue to support programs like the workforce housing tax credit, or the state housing trust fund.

“The state has a role, but I don’t know what that will look like. But we feel it’s an issue that’s important to elevate because of the need for housing throughout the region,” Woodard said.

She also said regulatory reform is an important tool the Legislature should continue to address that can make it easier for people to work in Iowa.

“We think it behooves us to ensure we’re not only asking for programs and funding, but also addressing policy initiatives that promote streamlining and efficiency in the government system,” she said. “As policies are pushed out, we will be leaning in to support regulatory reform.”

On placemaking, Woodard said the Partnership will seek continued support for Destination Iowa, which was rolled out during the 2022 session, and funding for the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

“We also continue to support projects like the Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium and Global Plaza and the funding they have received and perhaps the future funding that may be available for those types of projects,” Woodard said.

The Partnership will also continue to push for additional support for the airport improvement project, which includes the construction of a new terminal.

Woodard said the project has already received funding, but more is needed.

“This is our opportunity to continue to elevate the need of this project and the urgency for it,” she said. “The issue and need for space isn’t going away. And the dollars that have been appropriated have deadlines, so funding that gap is increasingly more important in order to complete the project.”