Policy & Advocacy
Strengthening Business. Supporting Community.
A strong business environment strengthens Council Bluffs’ quality of life. It creates opportunities for businesses to grow, supports workforce development, and helps our community thrive.
The Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce works year-round to advocate for policies that support economic vitality. Through relationship-building, education, and strategic engagement with local and state leaders, we advance priorities that benefit businesses, residents, and the long-term success of our region.
Events
Legislative Coffees
Join us for informal morning conversations with local elected officials at our Legislative Coffees. These events provide an opportunity to connect directly with representatives in a relaxed setting over coffee.
Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, share perspectives, and learn more about current legislative topics impacting our community. Whether you have specific issues you’d like to discuss or simply want to listen and stay informed, this is a great way to engage and be part of the conversation.
Join us from 9:00 - 10:30 AM at the Wilson Middle School Multipurpose Room on the following dates:
Series Sponsor
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Updates
May 19, 2025 Legislative Update
May 19, 2025 Legislative Update Members, The Iowa Legislature adjourned sine die last week, concluding the 2025 session of the 91st General Assembly. The session began January 13 and resulted in the passage of 176 bills, 76 of which have been signed into law by Governor Reynolds as of this writing. The Governor has 30…
Read MoreApril 21, 2025 Legislative Update
April 21, 2025 Legislative Update The Senate held floor debate every day last week, passing primarily non-controversial bills. The House debated on Tuesday and Thursday, and held meetings for both the Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Governor Reynolds announced she directed the Department of Health and Human Services to submit…
Read MoreApril 14, 2025 Legislative Update
April 14, 2025 Legislative Update Last Week: Governor Reynolds announced a special election to fill House District 78 would be held on April 29th following the resignation of Representative Sami Scheetz on April 1st. Scheetz resigned from the Iowa House of Representatives after being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Linn County Board of…
Read MoreApril 7, 2025 Legislative Update
April 7, 2025 Legislative Update Neither the House nor the Senate held floor debate last week. Policy committees met and advanced legislation from the opposite chamber prior to the second funnel deadline. Legislation that failed to advance out of a policy committee in the opposite chamber from which it originated is no longer eligible for…
Read MoreApril 1, 2025 Legislative Update
April 1, 2025 Legislative Update Both the House and Senate held floor debate last week passing policy legislation to the opposite chamber before the upcoming second funnel deadline. Both the House and Senate held subcommittee meetings on Wednesday to discuss the property tax reform legislation introduced earlier this month. The companion bills, Senate Study Bill…
Read MoreMarch 17, 2025 Legislative Update
March 17, 2025 Legislative Update Last Week The House and Senate both held floor debate last week, passing primarily non-controversial legislation to the other chamber. On Wednesday, Republican Blaine Watkins won the special election to fill House District 100 following the passing of Representative Martin Graber. Watkins won 52% of the vote, defeating Democrat Nannette…
Read MoreMarch 10, 2025 Legislative Update
March 10, 2025 Legislative Update March 7th marked the first legislative deadline of the 91st General Assembly; legislation introduced in either the House or Senate must have received committee support to remain eligible for the remainder of the session. Bills assigned to either the Appropriations or Ways and Means Committee are exempt from the funnel deadline.…
Read MoreMarch 3, 2025 Legislative Update
March 3, 2025 Legislative Update The majority of work done this week related to legislation to make changes to the Iowa Civil Rights Act after legislation was introduced late last week. Subcommittee and Committee meetings were held in both the House and Senate before the bill was taken up on the floor Thursday afternoon. Iowans…
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2025 Legislative Update
February 24, 2025 Legislative Update Both the House and the Senate held floor debate this week; advancing legislation out of its originating committee prior to the first funnel deadline on March 7th remains the priority for both chambers. The final deadline for legislators to request individually sponsored bills passed; however, committee chairs and leadership can still…
Read MoreFebruary 17, 2025 Legislative Update
February 17, 2025 Legislative Update On February 7th, Gov. Reynolds issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, as the date for a special election in Iowa House District 100 following the death of Representative Martin Graber.  On Monday, Governor Reynolds signed an executive order establishing the Iowa DOGE taskforce to identify ways of maximizing return on taxpayer investment, leveraging emerging…
Read MoreFind Your Legislator
Tips for Interacting with Your Local RepresentativesÂ
Be Prepared
- Know the key issues your group wants to discuss and have a few talking points ready.Â
- Research the legislators attending - know their districts, committees, and past positions on issues relevant to your group.Â
 Make a Strong First Impression
- Introduce yourself with your name, where you're from, and your organization’s role in the community.Â
- Be concise and to the point - lawmakers meet many people at these events, so make your conversation memorable.Â
 Keep It Local and Personal
- Share how specific policies or legislation impact your business, organization, or community.Â
- Personal stories and real-world examples are more effective than broad statistics.Â
Be Respectful and Engaging
- Even if you disagree with a legislator’s position, remain professional and respectful.Â
- Listen actively, and if they have questions or counterpoints, acknowledge them before responding.
Ask for Action
- Be clear about what you want them to do - support a bill, oppose a regulation, or investigate a specific issue.Â
- If applicable, offer to be a resource for more information.Â
Follow Up
- Collect business cards or contact information when possible.Â
- Send a thank-you email after the event, reinforcing your key points and offering to stay in touch.Â
General IcebreakersÂ
- What are some of the biggest issues you’re hearing about from your constituents this year?Â
- What committees are keeping you the busiest this session?Â
- What do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth in our district?Â
- Are there any initiatives or policies that could benefit our local businesses and workforce?Â
- What can we do as community members to better support economic development in our area?Â
- What are some key bills you’re working on this session?Â
- What do you think will be the biggest challenge in passing legislation this year?Â
- What inspired you to get into public service?Â
- What’s something about being a legislator that most people don’t realize?Â
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