The 2024 Iowa Legislature is scheduled to begin Monday, and lawmakers once again will likely focus on issues that could help make the state more competitive.

Tax policy, specifically continued efforts to lower Iowa’s individual income tax rate, is expected to be among the top issues lawmakers will address. It’s believed that lawmakers will discuss accelerating the time line set during the 2022 session to reduce the individual income tax rate to 3.9%.

“When you talk about tax policy, you’re talking about growth policy, not just for the economy and businesses that currently reside in our state, but it’s really about growth policy for people, bringing in more businesses which bring in individuals who want to take advantage of the new tax climate our state is gradually getting to,” said Joe Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council.

Other issues that are expected to be considered include strategies to help child care businesses increase employee pay, more investment in workforce housing and work-based learning programs.

The Business Council, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and United Way of Central Iowa revealed their priorities for the upcoming session last month.

Other groups have events planned for this month to unveil their agendas for the session.

Andrea Woodard, senior vice president of government relations and public policy at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, said the business community’s goals for the session revolve around a common theme: attracting and retaining talent.

“Our businesses need talent, and we are welcoming all talent to the region with open arms and we have language in our mission of being a welcoming community to business and talent,” she said.

The Business Record’s Legislative Forecast is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 9, from noon to 1 p.m.

Murphy and Woodard will be among the panelists scheduled to participate. They will be joined by JD Davis, vice president of public policy for ABI, Dustin Miller, executive director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance, Dave Stone, advocacy officer for the United Way of Central Iowa, and Mollie Ross, vice president of operations at the Technology Association of Iowa.

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry has its legislative briefing and reception planned for Wednesday, Jan. 10, and the Technology Association of Iowa has an AI public policy forum and legislative reception scheduled for Jan. 24.

Follow the Business Record for ongoing coverage of the 2024 legislative session.