2015 goal: filling the natural resources and outdoor recreation trust fund
Post on 01-Apr-2015
222 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
2015 Goal: Filling the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund
Trust Fund History
Bipartisan Support for the Trust Fund• In 2006, a bipartisan group of stakeholders
and legislators came together to find solutions for protecting Iowa’s natural resources.
• The group recommended a constitutionally protected trust fund not subject to the whims of the state budget.
• The group’s recommended funding source was 3/8 of one cent from the next sales tax increase.
Trust Fund History
Bipartisan Support for the Trust Fund• More than 90% of legislators voted
to put the trust fund on the ballot
Trust Fund History
Overwhelming support for the Trust Fund• In 2010, 63% of Iowa voters
supported the creation of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
• More than 130 organizations came together to support the ballot initiative.
The Next Step
Filling the Fund• The next step is persuading Iowa
legislators and the governor to support a revenue source for the fund.
2015 is the year• With the gubernatorial and legislative
elections complete, 2015 will be the best opportunity to secure a revenue source since the trust fund was created.
Public Opinion
Public Opinion on Our Side• 2014 poll found a large majority of
Iowans want action to support natural resources and outdoor recreation
• 95% of Iowa voters believe we need to ensure children and grandchildren can enjoy water, land, wildlife and natural beauty as we do today
Public Opinion
A majority of Iowa voters see these issues as serious problems:• Pollution of rivers, lakes and streams• Soil erosion from farmland• Flooding along rivers• Loss of wildlife habitat• Cuts in state park funding
Public Opinion
Voters want the Legislature to take the next step• Recent poll showed 66% of Iowa
voters support a revenue enhancement to fill the trust fund
• Support rises to 73% when it is paired with a reduction in income and/or property taxes
Trust Fund Details
IWILL Proposal • Funded through the sales tax, would
be offset by income, property tax cuts
• Accountability through public audits, oversight, transparency of spending
Trust Fund Goals
Scope of the Trust Fund• $150 million annually
What It Would Pay For:
Complete Strategy
Grassroots Mobilization• Mobilizing Iowa voters, activists and
grasstops to contact legislators in support of the fund
Earned Media• Editorial board meetings, op-eds,
letters to the editor, radio and desk side interviews in support of the trust fund
Complete Strategy
Coalition Support• Broadening coalition beyond groups
that supported 2010 ballot measure
Lobbying Team at the Capitol• Full-time, three-person team for
IWILL, along with coalition lobbyists
Get Involved
How Groups Can Get Involved• Join the coalition! • Allow us to list your organization as
publicly supporting IWILL• Encourage your members to volunteer
for IWILL
Get Involved
How Groups Can Get Involved• Post a link to IWILL’s website on your
website• Recruit new organizational members• Work with us to generate op-eds,
letters to the editor in local newspapers
• Engage with us on Facebook and Twitter, share our posts
Get Involved
How Individuals Can Help• Go through IWILL activist training• Reach out to state legislators in support of filling
the trust fund • Participate in IWILL’s Capitol Day – January 26,
2015• Sign the pledge on IWILL’s website• Share and retweet social media posts
Questions?
top related