Technology Association of Iowa

2008 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.

  • IT Roadmap. TAI supports the ongoing implementation of the IT Strategic Roadmap for Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Economic Development request to renew funding for the IT Training Program, Innovation and Commercialization Internship Program and Information Technology Joint Venture Fund.
  • 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.
  • Education – K-12 Policy. 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. To this end, TAI:
    • Supports funding for Regents Math and Science Education Collaborative initiative, designed to increase the number of math and science teachers in Iowa schools who can motivate a new generation to pursue exciting careers in math, science, engineering and technology;
    • 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.
      • Advocates for legislation that will develop alternative teaching pathway programs for science and math.
      • Supports innovative STEM recruitment and retention programs, including alternative teacher compensation programs.
    • Encourages establishment state-level 21st Century learning standards and assessments. It supports statewide adoption of Iowa Model Core Curriculum for Iowa's K-12 schools so that all Iowa students have access to a rigorous and relevant curriculum and are prepared to succeed in both post-secondary education and work.
  • Education – Postsecondary. 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.
  • Workforce. TAI supports a comprehensive approach to addressing workforce needs:
    • 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.
    • Student Loan forgiveness. TAI supports tuition forgiveness programs for graduates who stay in Iowa, or private/public tuition assistance for college interns who agree to continue post-graduation employment in Iowa.
    • 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.
    • Young professionals. TAI welcomes the report of the Generation Iowa Commission, which makes recommendations to attract and retain young professionals.
    • Skilled Worker Shortage. TAI supports recommendations of the Skilled Workforce Shortage Interim Committee of the Legislature, and will support legislative efforts to prioritize and implement recommendations.
  • 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 footprint.
  • 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.
  • Research and Development. TAI supports allowing businesses to either continue calculating the R&D tax credit as is currently allowed or utilize the most current alternative method that is available to federal taxpayers. The refundability of the research and development tax credit is a significant stimulus for further economic development. It encourages high quality jobs to be retained and attracted to Iowa. This tax credit must be maintained and should be strongly promoted in the state’s efforts to attract businesses
  • 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.
  • Workers' Compensation. TAI supports Iowa's current system of employers' direction of medical care for work-related injuries.
  • 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 services