City officials at Legislative Day

Guttenberg Mayor Russ Loven and City Manager Mary Willett attended the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Day on Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Des Moines.

The morning included an economic development workshop at Embassy Suites. The mayor and city manager had the opportunity to hear from state agencies, law firms and League staff on topics such as Economic Development, Tax Increment Financing laws and practices, and changes to the state economic funding mechanisms. 

During lunch, Iowa League of City personnel reviewed current bills before the House and Senate and those scheduled to be addressed this session. They discussed transportation infrastructure funding, nuisance properties, the Iowa Next program, broadband, accessible parking, borrowing surplus reserves, education funding and school start date.

Legislative Day has been a tradition for more than 40 years and provides a chance for city officials to talk with legislators about issues important to cities.

"We met with several state legislators, including Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco and Representative Patti Ruff of McGregor," said City Manager Willett. "We watched the gas tax discussion and vote in the House and the Senate. Since the gas tax was very controversial, the Capitol was full of many people."

"We met with legislative leaders and heard the updates coming forward from the chairs of the Economic Growth Committee, Local Government Committee and Transportation Committee," she added.

Senator Wilhelm and Representative Ruff gave the Guttenberg officials a tour of the State Capitol and the law library. "It was my first visit to the Iowa State Capitol building, and it is very beautiful!" said the city manager.