Day 92 of the 100-day session is today and the legislative session should be nearing the finish line. While progress is being made, all of the budget bills still need to be negotiated and a number of policy issues remain outstanding. Legislators in leadership roles are indicating that a lot of heavy lifting remains before you’ll see the 2022 legislative session adjourn.

The biggest policy disagreement right now revolves around a controversial school choice bill (SF 2369) which includes a provision that would allow up to 10,000 students to qualify for a limited voucher program for attendance at a private school. Contact your local representative if you’d like to weigh in on this bill.

Other policy issues include the Governor’s Renewable Fuels bill, tort reform, bottle bill changes, the Governor’s Workforce bill, and all ten of the budget bills.

This week, Gov. Reynolds announced an investment of $100 million for Destination Iowa. Destination Iowa “will provide grants to help communities move forward on transformational, shovel-ready attractions,” according to a release from Gov. Reynolds’ office. The funding stems from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The proposed Infrastructure Budget doubles funding to the Community Attractions & Tourism (CAT) program to $10M. It also doubles funding for Iowa Great Places, (both programs that have been successful leveraged in the City of Marion).