SIOUX CITY LEGISLATIVE DAY

SIOUX CITY LEADERS AND IOWA LEGISLATORS SPENT TUESDAY MORNING EXCHANGING IDEAS AND INFORMATION AT CITY HALL.

THE ANNUAL STATE LEGISLATIVE DAY GIVES COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS A CHANCE TO TELL LEGISLATORS WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP SIOUX CITY WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES IN JANUARY.

COUNCILMAN KEITH RADIG SAYS CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE IN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RULES AT THE STATE LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LABOR CONTRACTS:

RADIG SAYS CITIES NEED THE CHANGE TO AVOID PASSING ON TAX HIKES OR REDUCING SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE WAGE INCREASES.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE JEREMY TAYLOR SAYS DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS WOULD NEED TO BE ON BOARD FOR ANY SUGGESTED CHANGES TO HAVE A CHANCE AT BEING PASSED.

 MAYOR MIKE HOBART TOLD LEGISLATORS THAT THE STATE NEEDS TO CONTINUE  TARGETED JOBS FUNDING AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FOR SIOUX CITY TO REMAIN ECONOMICALY COMPETITITVE WITH BORDERING STATES.

INCOMING MAYOR BOB SCOTT SAYS TIF HELPED THE CITY BUILD IT'S BASEBALL STADIUM AND THE BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S AROUND IT.

HOBART SAYS THOSE PROGRAMS IN TURN HELP THE CITY GENERATE ADDITIONAL SALES TAX REVENUE WHICH THEN BENEFITS THE STATE.