Essential Estrogen

It appears at least one issue is able to draw bipartisan support in Des Moines this legislative session: Brain Drain.

Brain drain is a slang term to describe the exodus of young and bright Iowans from their home state. (As a side note, your author has long lobbied for a bio-dome over at least parts of Iowa... like my home... which would maintain the environment at a blissful 80 year 'round. I believe such an advance would go a long way toward encouraging people to weather yet another Iowa winter. But I digress...) Earlier this month, we told you about a bill seeking the formation of a Generation Iowa Commission. Now there is a similar bill in the Iowa House sponsored by Rep. Tami Wiencek (R-Black Hawk), Rep. Dawn Pettengill (D-Benton) and Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (R-Cedar) dubbed the "Iowa Advantage Fund."

This new bill has duel aims:

1. Make Iowa employers more attractive to young graduates just starting out
2. Help new graduates pay down college debt

These goals are accomplished by providing tax incentives to businesses who agree to help repay education loans for students from Iowa institutions. The students would become employees and would need to make at least $25,000 per year for the incentive. Businesses would be given a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the paid loan. The repayment would be scheduled over a three year time frame.

In addition to the three sponsors, the measure is also - surprisingly - being supported by Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Johnson) who anticipates introducing similar legislation on his side of the dome. The support is surprising because the measure is the original brain-child of University of Iowa professor Jay Christensen-Szalanski, a gentleman who ran against Bolkcom.

The proposed legislation is in the Ways and Means Committee on the House side and, as such, was not subject to the recent funnel week. Kudos to all involved for walking across party lines and building legislation to fill needs.