Working together on legislative priorities

Going into the first days of the 2018 Iowa Legislative Session, the League of Women Voters of Johnson County finds we are in agreement with other several organizations serving our area.

Specifically, Iowa Leagues have six major legislative priorities in 2018: education, water quality and environment, health care and mental health, justice reforms, voting rights and gun control.

The Iowa Leagues legislative priorities on voting rights are perhaps better known to be aligned with the ACLU, but we are in agreement with on several key issues with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and Iowa Tax Policy. For example, the league agrees with The Iowa Chamber Alliance and Corridor economic development groups on two major issues: education and fiscal responsibility. Additionally these groups support an investment in public education, workforce training, long-term infrastructure and a thoughtful approach to mental health.

Iowans for Tax Relief also supports a review of Iowa's tax code including tax credits ('Taxpayers deserve a review of all Iowa tax credits,” Jan. 8 by John Hendrickson). That position is not lost on the league as members across the state adopted seven points to improve the Tax Increment Financing use (https://www.lwvia.org/lwvia-positions). Leagues across the state and nation have long supported fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability.

While we may not always agree on everything, we believe in agreeing whenever we can. Now, the question is: Can the Iowa Legislature figure out how to work together to develop policy for all Iowans. Let's hope so.

Syndy Conger

President

League of Women Voters of Johnson County