A primary goal of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is to inform members of key issues impacting local business. The Board will identify different topics throughout the year and provide information on these topics.

STATE ISSUE- INTERNET FAIRNESS ACT

The DACC Board of Directors recognizes the only way to achieve more equitable commercial property tax equation is to identify new revenue sources. One that the DACC Board of Directors has voted to stand behind is the Internet Fairness Act. Currently, Iowa's small businesses are being put at a competitive disadvantage by internet companies that are not paying sales tax to the State of Iowa. According to a University of Tennessee study, Iowa's local sales and use tax revenue losses from e-commerce sales in the state is projected to exceed $98.4 million in 2012. This lost revenue could go a long way in generating revenue needed to allow the state to move forward on Commercial Property Tax reform. The DACC Board has sent a letter our state representatives. Another letter has been created that we invite our members to send along as well.

State Redistricting Proposal

Current Bills and Actions of Iowa Legislature

STATE ISSUE- ROAD USE FEE

The DACC Board of Directors has identified the budget shortfall to support City and County roads as reaching a critical point. Funding at the state level has been drastically reduced leaving our local governments to try to do minimal repairs or find temporary solutions. The roads in Winneshiek County are deteriorating. Roads are lifeline for our communities. The local economy depends on roads 1) Local food system 2) Employee Commuter Access and 3) Community Amenities Access. The DACC Board of Directors also recognizes that infrastructure development will have significant impact on the local economy with Northeast Iowa having many business focused on materials, construction and periphery services in road development. Investment in infrastructure will increase jobs and support overall growth of the economy. However, the DACC Board is not in favor of taking these funds out of the general budget. At this time, an increase to the state gas tax will have the users of the roads supporting the upkeep. This tax will be spread to drivers coming into our state as well. Every one cent of tax generates approximately $20 million in revenue.

State Elected Officials

Federal Senators
Senator Chuck Grassley (Republican)
U.S. Senate
135 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 205100001
Phone: 202.224.3744
Fax: 202.224.6020
Email: http://grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator Tom Harkin (Democrat)
U.S. Senate
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 205100001
Phone: 202.224.3254
Fax: 202.224.9369
Email: http://harkin.senate.gov/c/

Federal Representatives
Representative Tom Latham (Republican)
District 4
U.S. House of Representatives
2447 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 205150001
Phone: 202.225.5476
Fax: 202.225.3301
Email: tom.latham@mail.house.gov

State Senators
Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm (Democrat)
District 8
Iowa Legislature
Second Floor, State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515.281.3371
Fax: 515.242.6108
Email: mary.jo.wilhelm@legis.state.ia.usS

State Representatives
Representative Brian Quirk (Democrat)
District 15
Iowa Legislature
Second Floor, State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 515.281.3221
Fax: 515.281.5868
Email: brian.quirk@legis.state.ia.us

Representative Bob Hager (Republican - 16)
Iowa Legislature
Second Floor, State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: (515) 281-3221
Email: Bob.Hager@legis.state.ia.us