2009 Legislative Agenda
The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) supports public policies that strengthen Iowa's technology-based, innovation economy and position the state as a leader through the development and use of advanced technologies.
TAI believes that strong, consistent, focused leadership from the private sector, working in collaboration with educational and government partners, is the critical link in driving the state's economic development. TAI will advocate for policies that recognize the changing face of Iowa's workforce and the global realities of commerce in the 21st century. The future workforce will be more diverse, and will need to be more educated and more technologically skilled. The TAI legislative agenda creates an environment that supports a vibrant, growing technology-based economy.
2009 Top Three Priorities:
WORKFORCE
- Education - K-12. To expand the pipeline of future technology workers, TAI supports a strong K-12 education system that prepares students for the 21st Century workforce by strengthening increasing the focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. TAI advocates a redesign of Iowa's K-12 system to better meet the STEM needs of the 21st Century, including creating alterative teaching pathways that are both effective and efficient.
> Establish state-level 21st Century learning standards and assessments focused on student achievement;
> Increase focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning;
> Develop alternative teaching pathway programs for science and math.
> Advance innovative STEM recruitment and retention programs, including alternative teacher compensation programs.
- Education - Post secondary. TAI supports investments in Iowa's high education systems allowing them to become leading centers for STEM education, and ensuring they have the technology and infrastructure that will provide a world-class education experience, and allowing them to provide a skilled and diverse workforce to Iowa.
- Internships. TAI supports continued state investments in the current internship program that benefits technology employers through matching dollars and new programs to provide tax credits for technology organizations employing interns.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
TAI supports continuation of the research and development tax credit as currently enacted, including the refundable aspect. The research and development tax credit is a significant stimulus for economic development and innovation that encourages the attraction or retention of high quality jobs in Iowa. This refundable tax credit must be maintained and strongly promoted in the state's effort to attract, finance, and grow new and existing business.
PARITY
TAI advocates business parity between the technology-based business and other industries throughout the state.
Other Matters of Importance...
- IT Roadmap. TAI supports the ongoing implementation of the IT Strategic Roadmap for Iowa, and supports maintaining the Innovation and Commercialization Division's current programs within the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
- Grow Iowa Values Fund. TAI continues its strong support of the Grow Iowa Values Fund as an important tool needed to transform Iowa's 21st Century economy. The Grow Iowa Values Fund provides significant assistance to programs that impact Iowa's information technology industry, as well as the biotechnology and advanced manufacturing industries. TAI urges the legislature to ensure access to reliable, fully funded economic development tools that encourage business relocation, retention and entrepreneurship across Iowa.
- Seed Capital Fund Investment Tax Credit. TAI supports extending the existing program timeframe and replenishing the angel investment tax credits. The program provides for a limited investment tax credit for as much as 20 percent of an individual's equity investment in a qualified business.
- Regional Business Accelerators. TAI supports enhanced funding for regional business accelerators that assist entrepreneurs in taking the next steps forward in moving their products and services to new or additional markets, raising capital, becoming more profitable, and adding new jobs.
- Go Green Tax Credit. TAI supports the establishment of a tax credit for technology businesses, and information technology departments of non-technology businesses, who invest in new technology equipment that reduces their energy footprints.
- Buy Iowa Software. TAI supports efforts to grow Iowa's software industry by providing a tax incentive to firms who buy software developed by firms headquartered in Iowa.
- Venture Capital. TAI supports a tax incentive to encourage VC into Iowa technology companies.
- Health care. TAI supports the passage of focused tax credits that increase the affordability of private health insurance and reduce the number of uninsured Iowans.
- Quality of Life. In recognizing the roll quality-of-life plays in attracting and retaining technology workers to the state, TAI supports funding of programs such as Vision Iowa that build additional creative community attractions and enhance quality of life, spur additional economic development, revitalize local economies, and promote life after work.
- New Iowans. TAI encourages policies and practices by the private sector and government to support, simplify and expand legal immigration of new Iowans, allow former Iowans to return, and retain existing Iowans.
- Potential legislation could arise in the following areas that will be followed closely by TAI:
- Anti-spam legislation
- Broadband
- Iowa Communications Network
- Disposal of electronic products
- Internet taxation
- Offshore outsourcing
- Open standards
- RFID
- Sales tax on computer services
