Chamber members will meet with state lawmakers Tuesday

Fairfield and Washington business people will travel to Des Moines Tuesday to meet with legislators during the annual Fairfield/Washington Chambers of Commerce Day at the Capitol.

?We have 12-15 people from Fairfield going,? said Tracy Vance, executive director of Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. ?I think it?s about the same for Washington.?

One of the biggest concerns is commercial property tax relief, said Vance.

Iowa has the second highest commercial property taxes in the country. Commercial property in the state is taxed at 100 percent evaluation, compared to residential property and agricultural land being taxed at 48.5 percent of evaluation in Iowa.

The commercial tax rate is a consideration for businesses looking to locate in Iowa. Gov. Terry Brandstad has said Iowa?s commercial tax rate hinders economic growth.

The Iowa House passed a property tax relief bill last week, which Brandstad supports. Democrats and the Senate are not in full support of the bill. According to the latest Des Moines Registrar poll, 60 percent of Iowans support a cut to commercial property taxes.

At the beginning of this month, the FACC adopted its 2012 state legislative agenda. It has four major points, including tax reform, with three sub-points, that the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce supports:

? Improving our state?s business competitiveness by reforming our commercial and industrial property tax system.

? Efforts to simplify and reduce corporate income taxes.

? The flattening and streamlining of the personal income tax code.

?We?ll keep working on this issue, talking with legislators,? said Vance.

Tuesday?s agenda at the Capitol kicks off with a 10:45 a.m. briefing about economic development. John Gilliland, senior vice president and government relations, Association of Business and Industry will address the delegation.

Lunch will be with state Sen. Sandy Greiner, Rep. Curt Hanson and Rep. Jarad Klein at the Capitol. Senate President Jack Kibbie, Speaker of the House Craig Paulsen and Sen. Steve Sodders, Chair of the Economic Growth committee also are expected to join the delegation at lunch.

The afternoon briefing will be from Phil Wise, former Iowa representative from 1987-2009 in the 92nd District, Lee County, and retired Keokuk High School teacher, now public policy advisor to the director of the Department of Education.

About an hour before departing Des Moines, delegates will have an opportunity to tour the Capitol complex or visit more with legislators.

A bus will depart from Washington, Iowa at 7:30 a.m., pick up the Fairfield delegates and leave Fairfield at 8:45 a.m., arriving at the Capitol at 10:30 a.m.

The bus departs Des Moines at 3 p.m., arriving back in Fairfield at 4:45 p.m., and then returning to Washington at 6 p.m.

Chamber of commerce members can register by contacting the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce at 472-2111. Cost is $45 per person, which includes the roundtrip charter bus ride, lunch, snacks and refreshments.