Feenestra receives recognition, hears local representatives

    HARLAN — US Representative Randy Feenstra took questions from several local community and business leaders in Harlan Wednesday during a forum hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Feenstra, a Republican serving Iowa’s 4th District, also received recognition for his military service and congressional productivity from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
    U.S. Chamber of Commerce representative John Kirchner, Vice President, Midwest Region, Regional Government Affairs presented the “Spirit of Enterprise Award” to Feenstra. The award recognizes elected officials in Washington D.C. who demonstrate the ability to get things done in a cooperative way.  It is focused on those members who help move forward important bi-partisan legislation beneficial for business and industry, and derail proposals that would be harmful for commerce.
    Feenstra discussed a variety of topics with local officials and Chamber members in attendance. He noted immediate issues requiring attention in the coming months include the 2017 tax cuts scheduled to sunset next year, workforce housing, childcare & daycare, healthcare deserts and the looming Farm Bill.
    Other topics posed by local officials included funding sources and insurance for those affected by natural disasters, agriculture trade, including protectionism and tariffs, the national debt, housing shortages in rural America, electric vehicles and the impact on the ethanol industry, business non-compete legislation, and emergency services oversight and regulation by the Federal Government.