Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Iowa is good for business

    Senate Democrats are working to expand Iowa’s middle class and build a stable economy for all. We’re spurring long-range growth and prosperity across Iowa by:

    • Ensuring Iowans have opportunities for job training
    • Offering incentives to Iowa businesses
    • Boosting quality of life in our communities

    These efforts are producing good results. Iowa is again one of the top 10 states for business, according to CNBC. The latest analysis spotlights Iowa’s low cost of doing business, low cost of living and great quality of life. We also have the best possible credit rating and have shown steady growth.

    Tax credits are given for industries that converting biomass into sustainable energy. Senator Rita Hart is shown above learning about this technology that has helped Iowa achieve economic success.
    Tax credits are given for industries that convert biomass into sustainable energy. Senator Rita Hart is shown above learning about this technology that has helped Iowa achieve economic success.

    A few of the initiatives we’ve championed in recent years that have helped Iowa achieve this success include:

    • Improving Iowa’s roads and bridges to move goods and provide services more efficiently.
    • Phasing in the largest property tax cut in the state history by providing tax relief to owners of commercial and industrial property.
    • Providing a tax cut to thousands of Iowa small businesses and farmers by aligning Iowa’s tax code with many federal tax changes.
    • Offering incentives to businesses that locate and expand in Iowa, particularly when they commit to making a strong contribution to the local economy and creating good jobs for residents.
    • Investing in innovative programs at our state universities that spur economic growth when they work with communities and businesses to improve technology, marketing and entrepreneurship.
    • Establishing tax credits for industries that turn byproducts from biomass feedstock into higher-value chemicals.
    • Exempting from sales tax supplies and replacement parts used in manufacturing, research and development, data processing and recycling. These are known as “consumables.”

    For a complete review of our bipartisan business initiatives over the last couple of years, go to http://wp.me/a6hw7R-5Oy.

  • Resources to help communities redevelop brownfield sites

    Communities can learn about brownfield properties and how to successfully redevelop them—including securing funding and technical assistance from local, state and federal help—through workshops and other resources through the Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program at www.ksutab.org.

     

    Brownfields are properties where reuse or redevelopment is complicated by environmental contamination. These properties are often abandoned, idled or under-used. Putting brownfield sites back into use revitalizes communities creating jobs and spurring economic development.

  • Air quality improving in Iowa

    Good air quality protects the health and the environment of Iowans. Iowa’s air quality has significantly improved since 1990, with sulfur dioxide emissions down by 60 percent and nitrogen oxides decreasing by 43 percent. These positive developments have occurred even though the number of emission sources and industries has increased.

    Forty years ago, 13 Iowa counties contained areas that could not meet national air quality standards. Today, only two counties are in nonattainment status, and they are working with the DNR to control emissions, reduce dust from roads, modify equipment and change operations. As a result, we can expect the downward trend in emissions to continue.

    Find more on Iowa’s air quality trends at www.iowadnr.gov/airmonitoring.

  • Iowa DNR celebrates 30 years

    Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg with Diane Ford of the DNR's Conservation and Recreation division.
    Senate Minority Leader Rob Hogg with Diane Ford of the DNR’s Conservation and Recreation division.

    This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), established by the Legislature when several state agencies consolidated in 1986. The DNR oversees compliance with water, land and air quality regulations, as well as wildlife, fisheries, forests and state parks.

    To commemorate the 30th anniversary, the DNR is highlighting 30 success stories about our natural resources, including:

    • Iowa’s eagle population, on the brink of extinction in 1986, now has close to 400 nesting pairs in the state.
    • More than 1,200 miles of hiking and biking trails have been developed across Iowa.
    • Iowa’s streams that can support naturally reproducing trout have increased from six to 45.
    • 2.2 million Iowans now participate in curbside recycling in 644 Iowa communities.

    For more information on Iowa’s natural resources accomplishments, go to www.iowadnr.gov/30th.

  • Iowa helping to create “Monarch Highway”

    Iowa, along with Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, is working to improve pollinator habitat along Interstate 35, a key migratory corridor for monarch butterflies. With proper plantings, the I-35 corridor can provide refuge and food for monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects.

     The goal is to ensure that Monarch butterflies and other pollinators are able to thrive, which ultimately benefits our food sources.

     Monarch butterflies born in late summer or early fall migrate south to winter in Mexico. In the spring, the butterflies return to the southern U.S. and lay eggs. Successive generations of Monarchs continue moving north which takes them along the I-35 corridor and into Canada. These Monarchs begin the cycle over again by completing a 2,000 mile trek back to Mexico.

     More on the pollinator strategy is available at www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/05/19/announcing-new-steps-promote-pollinator-health.

  • Water quality efforts will make a difference

    dsc_5282
    A protestor holds up a sign at a water quality event at the State Capitol in September.

    Our economy and quality of life depend on a healthy environment. That’s why we’re always looking for solutions to Iowa’s water quality challenges.

    The Legislature established a Water Quality Initiative in 2013 as part of a strategy to reduce to nitrogen and phosphorus in our waterways by 45 percent. Over the last three years, more than 2,900 farmers have committed more than 294,000 acres to the cause.

    During the 2016 session, legislators approved several initiatives to build on our ongoing water quality improvement efforts, including:

    • Cleaning up the last of Iowa’s Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (HF 2464).
    • Increasing penalties for illegal dumping (HF 2385).
    • Committing $16.7 million from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund for water quality and lake restoration efforts (SF 2324).
    • Providing $3.2 million for soil and water conservation projects through Iowa’s popular Resource Enhancement and Protection program (HF 2454).
    • Approving $18.8 million in the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget for water quality and soil conservation projects, research and facilities (HF 2454).

     

    The Iowa Department of Agriculture is using $9.6 million to help implement the Water Quality Initiative this year. These funds allow the Department to continue pushing for improved farming practices through cost share assistance and intensive work in watersheds that need the most attention.

    Last month, $3.8 million in cost share funds were awarded to help more than 1,900 farmers in 97 counties install cover crops, no-till or strip till, and other practices that prevent chemicals from making their way into our waterways. The $3.8 million in state funds will be matched by nearly $6 million from Iowa farmers.

    Iowa also has 45 projects throughout the state to help implement and demonstrate good water quality practices. This includes 16 watershed projects, 22 urban water quality demonstration projects and seven projects focused on expanding water quality practices. More than 100 participating organizations are providing $19.3 million to supplement more than $12 million from the state.

    Other water quality funding includes $35 million in state revolving loan funds for clean water and waste water projects. When you add in federal funding, more than $350 million has gone to programs with water quality benefits in the last year.