FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2018
Contact: Joe Jayjack at jjayjack@inhf.org or 712-310-7182
Support for Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund Soars
Statewide Poll: Seven-in-ten Iowans favor 3/8 cent sales tax as solution
Des Moines, Iowa — As Iowa’s elected leaders make water quality measures and tax reform top priorities in 2018, a coalition of conservation, outdoor recreation, and agriculture leaders today released results of a statewide scientific poll showing a record number of likely Iowa voters – 69 percent – support enactment of a 3/8 cent state sales tax increase to fund those priorities.
“Iowans want clean water, productive agricultural soil, and increased outdoor recreation opportunities. They overwhelmingly favor funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund as the solution,” said Joe McGovern, President of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, noting the Trust Fund, established through a constitutional amendment in 2010 when 63 percent of Iowa voters supported it, remains unfunded.
McGovern said the statewide survey of likely 2018 Iowa voters was conducted by leading national polling firm, Public Opinion Strategies, and was commissioned by Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) Coalition. The Coalition executive council is comprised of leaders from the American Heart Association, Ducks Unlimited, Iowa’s County Conservation Boards, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Iowa Soybean Association, Pheasants Forever and The Nature Conservancy in Iowa.
The IWILL Coalition survey found statewide support for funding the Trust through the 3/8 cent sales tax grew from 63 percent in 2013 to 66 percent in 2014 to 69 percent in the November 2017 survey. Support has grown across all groups of Iowa voters, as the survey indicates a majority of Iowa voters who identify as conservative Republicans support a sales tax increase. Other key demographics registering overwhelming support for the 3/8 cent increase include 83 percent of suburban Iowa voters, 73 percent of women voters, 71 percent of voters aged 65 or older, and 75 percent of voters aged 18-34.
“Iowa voters got it right in 2010 when they created the Trust Fund and they more than ever get it today. Funding the Trust is the best way to clean up our water and increase public hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation areas,” said Tammi Kircher, State Chair for Iowa Ducks Unlimited. “This is all about improving our quality of life and leaving a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.”
Strong statewide support for Funding the Trust through a 3/8 cent sales tax increase is driven by Iowans’ belief that the quality of Iowa’s waterways is a serious problem that needs immediate attention, as are the need for more outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Meeting Iowa’s workforce needs means meeting the demands of future employees. Those demands include increased outdoor recreation opportunities for themselves and their families,” said Mark Doll, chief executive officer of Doll Distributing and Coalition co-chairman. “Parks, trails and outdoor areas funded by the Trust are key tools in Iowa’s economic development arsenal to help businesses retain and recruit a high-quality workforce.”
A key component to support for the Trust is making sure Iowans know that nearly two-thirds of the revenue generated will be used to improve water quality in Iowa. In the survey, 68 percent of Iowans said this fact is extremely or very important. Estimated revenue of $187.5 million each year would flow to the Trust Fund. A majority of those dollars is designated for water quality improvement projects, including lake restoration, wildlife habitat projects, water protection and enhancing flood protection efforts.
“Productive soils yield a prosperous Iowa,” said Iowa Soybean Association CEO Kirk Leeds. “Improved water quality through a watershed approach is critical to that productivity and IWILL is critical to triggering sustainable funding. I’m encouraged the poll recognizes a strong majority of rural Iowans support IWILL as the solution.”
About the Poll
Public Opinion Strategies conducted live telephone interviews with 500 Iowa residents who are likely to vote in the 2018 general election. The interviews were conducted November 12-16, 2017. The survey had a statistically valid sample with margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.38 percent at the 95 percent confidence interval for the total sample. Live interviews were conducted on both cell phones and land lines.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 9, 2018
Contact: Joe Jayjack at jjayjack@inhf.org
Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Leaders Praise Focus on Water Quality, Say Now is the Time to “Fund the Trust”
Tammi Kircher, on behalf of Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy (IWILL) Coalition, a broad-based coalition of leaders and organizations from the conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture and business communities, today issued the following statement regarding Governor Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State address. Kircher, of Keokuk, is the State Chair for Iowa Ducks Unlimited.
“We are encouraged that Gov. Reynolds’ first priority in her Condition of the State address emphasized the need for significant water quality legislation during the Iowa General Assembly’s 2018 session.
“Significant action to improve Iowa’s water quality and conservation efforts cannot occur without permanent funding, which is why Iowa voters established the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund in Iowa’s Constitution. Unfortunately, this Fund has sat empty since 63 percent of Iowa voters approved its creation in 2010. Now is the time for the governor and legislators to take the final step to include language in water quality legislation that funds Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.
“Funding the Trust is the only solution for conservation that Iowa voters enshrined in our state’s Constitution. Funding the trust is the only solution that continues to have the support of seven out of ten Iowans. Funding the trust is the only solution that provides a dedicated funding source to ensure Iowans can have it all when it comes to clean water, productive agricultural soils and thriving wildlife habitats.
“Rare are the moments when a legislative session can have a generational impact on Iowans. Funding the Trust is that moment. Including the 3/8 cent sales tax increase in any legislation aimed at addressing water quality will help Iowa retain and recruit young people, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life.
“Our broad-based coalition ranging from conservationists and sportspersons to farmers and business leaders stands ready to work with Gov. Reynolds and Iowa legislators to deliver a water quality and conservation victory for all Iowans.”
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Well, we didn’t fund the Trust this legislative session, but we came really, really close. Without you, we would have never made it as far as we did. Hundreds and hundreds of you called, wrote, and made it clear to the legislature how important this issue is. The read more
Occasion marks the first time CEOs of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Wild Turkey Federation have been together in Iowa
(DES MOINES) – Iowa’s Water and Land Legacy is sponsoring a major legislative day with a stage in the Capitol rotunda tomorrow, bringing hundreds of supporters to the Capitol to roundtable and rally for the WISE solution, which will finally fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund that was created in 2010 with 63 percent support from Iowa voters.
The day will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with special celebrity guest emcee Outdoors Dan Young, and features a number of water quality roundtable discussions in the Capitol rotunda, including a panel on “The Great Outdoors” featuring the national CEOs of Ducks Unlimited(Dale Hall), Pheasants Forever (Howard Vincent) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (Becky Humphries.)
Other programming includes representatives from Iowa’s craft brewing industry, health associations, conservation experts and economic development leaders on why they support the WISE solution for water quality.
A schedule of the day’s events are as follows. Individuals interested in attending may do so by RSVP’ing here: http://www.iowaswaterandlandle
10 a.m. Radio and Television personality Outdoors Dan Young opens the program
10:05 a.m. Lobbying 101
Former state Rep. Doug Struyk discusses with attendees the importance of their voice in promoting this legislation with their state senators and representatives
10:30 a.m. WISE solution co-sponsors
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, Rep. Jane Bloomingdale and Rep. Dave Heaton discuss their legislation
10 :45 a.m. Next Generation Leadership
University Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever youth leaders discuss what this bill means for the future
11 a.m. Conservation Conversation
Leaders from farming and conservation come together to support water quality and talk about ways in which they’re working together for soil health
11:30 a.m. Real Talk: Public Health Benefits
Dr. Richard Deming from Above + Beyond cancer joins leaders from the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and the Iowa Public Health Association to discuss the benefits of vibrant trails and recreational system
Noon THE MAIN EVENT: The Great Outdoors Roundtable
CEOs from Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and National Wild Turkey Federation discuss their support of the WISE solution and why habitat matters
12:30 p.m. THE MAIN EVENT II: BEER SUMMIT
Doll Distributing’s Mark Doll and Confluence Brewing owner Ken Broadhead discuss why the craft brewers support the WISE legislation, joined by Jewell City Council member Rick Young, who is helping develop trails where craft beer is growing in popularity with cyclists on the move
1 p.m. Clean Water and Iowa’s Economy
County supervisors are on the front lines of recruiting new businesses to locate within their county borders. Learn why they’re hearing more about water quality from potential job creators.
1:30 p.m. Wading into Bipartisan Waters
Leaders and die-hard activists from organizations across the political spectrum who don’t agree on much are coming together to support WISE legislation
2 p.m. #FundTheTrust Day adjourns
Becky Humphries, CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation
A long-time champion of conservation causes, Becky Humphries joined the National Wild
Turkey Federation (NWTF) in October 2013 where she now serves as the CEO as of April 10, 2017. She and her staff work with conservation partners to develop and implement NWTF’s trademark program, Save the Habitat/Save the Hunt.
Prior to joining NWTF, Becky served as the Director of Conservation for Ducks Unlimited’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Region from January 2011 to October 2013. Before Ducks Unlimited, much of Ms. Humphries’ career was spent with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which she joined in 1978. She held a variety of hands-on positions—from habitat biologist to area biologist and then to district wildlife supervisor— and eventually took the reins as the Department of Natural Resources director, a post she held from 2004-2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management from Michigan State University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Science by Central Michigan University.
Howard Vincent, CEO, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever
Becoming the first Director of Finance for Pheasants Forever in 1987, he has been involved with Pheasants Forever as a volunteer and/or employee since shortly after the organization’s inception. Over the years he has also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Pheasants Forever’s National Board of Directors appointed him CEO and successor to Jeffrey Finden, the organization’s first CEO, in January 2000. A native of Duluth, Minnesota, and a graduate of the University of Minnesota – Duluth, Howard and his wife Wendy live in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where he enjoys chasing the wily ringneck with his two sons, Marco and Ian.
Dale Hall, CEO, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Mr. H. Dale Hall has been the Chief Executive Officer of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. since April 2010. He has led DU into the most financially secure time in their history, and has ensured that Ducks Unlimited continues as the leader in wetlands conservation. Under Dale’s leadership, DU continues to be guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, works toward the wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. Mr. Hall served as the Chief of the Fish and Wildlife Service. He joined the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1978, after spending four years in the U.S. Air Force and one year managing a commercial aquaculture operation in Mississippi. He led the Fish and Wildlife Service from 2005 to 2009, leading efforts to restructure national wildlife refuges in the face of shrinking budgets and spoke out in favor of farm bill programs that would benefit waterfowl and other wildlife. Mr. Hall holds a master’s degree in fisheries science from Louisiana State University.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 Contact: Tim Albrecht, ta@albrechtpr.com 136 IOWA COUNTY SUPERVISORS LINE UP TO FUND THE TRUST FUND Support for Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund Continues to Mount (DES MOINES) – Today 136 Iowa co read more
Des Moines Register, March 13, 2017
Des Moines Register, March 9, 2017
The Messenger, February 26, 2017
Des Moines Register, February 13, 2017
The Messenger, February 22, 2017
