MBI Legislative Focus
February 3, 2012
Volume XI, Edition 4
Budget Targets Set the Stage for a Contentious Spending Debate
House Republicans this week issued a budget target of $6.059 billion for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2012. That is about 1 percent greater than the current fiscal year and $182 million less than what was proposed by Gov. Terry Branstad last month in his State of the State address.
Senate Democrats additionally released their budget targets for the upcoming fiscal year. The Democratic plan calls for a $6.218 budget, which includes allocations for a commercial property tax cut proposal as well an expansion of a tax break to low-income families known as the “Earned Income Tax Credit.”
Government Affairs
Here you will find information pertaining to the public affairs efforts of MBI. A majority of our Government Affairs agenda consists of lobbying efforts. However, you will see that other components consist of coalition efforts, communications and our political action committee (i.e. MBI-PAC). MBI is seen as one of the premiere business associations in the state. This is made evident not only from MBI's presence at the State Capitol, but also at the county, city, and local levels. MBI's government affairs program is focused on an agenda that is pro-business and pro-construction. Our efforts advocate the prudent use of taxpayers' dollars in the procurement of public projects, as well as, maintaining the integrity of the construction industry as a vital role in commerce. MBI's Lobbying Team consists of Scott Norvell and Chad Kleppe. These two individuals ensure that MBI has a full time presence at the Iowa Capitol, as well as an ever increasing presence at local governmental levels.
Links of Interest
- Iowa General Assembly
- Iowa Legislative Services Agency
- State of Iowa Website
- Associated General Contractors of America
- Iowa Taxpayers Association
