Melissa J. Finestead

This Executive Order from the State of Iowa initiates the development of a comprehensive long-range hazardous waste management plan. Recognizing the serious environmental and public health threats posed by improper hazardous waste management and the absence of a current long-range plan, the order charges the Water, Air and Waste Management Commission to establish a Select Advisory Panel to gather input. The Commission is further directed to develop a model plan and propose legislative, fiscal, and regulatory recommendations for its implementation.

This Executive Order by the Governor of Iowa establishes a Library Services Advisory Council to develop a comprehensive plan for an electronic statewide library and information services program. The plan's purpose is to provide Iowans with access to an affordable, versatile, and technically advanced information library service delivery system, thereby enhancing the state's quality of life. Key priorities include fostering cooperative efforts, establishing appropriate policies and administrative mechanisms for electronically linked library services.

This Executive Order, issued by the Governor of the State of Iowa, reaffirms the state's policy of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, prohibiting discrimination based on race, creed, color, religion, natural origin, sex, age, and physical and mental disability. It mandates several initiatives to further affirmative action and equal employment opportunity across state government. Key actions include coordinating affirmative action efforts through the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, establishing data collection and recruitment coordination by the Merit Employment Department, requiring affirmative action training for administrative and supervisory employees, and developing comprehensive plans to remedy architectural barriers in state-owned or leased facilities. An Affirmative Action Task Force is to be appointed annually to review progress on these directives.

Executive Order Number Fourteen establishes the Health Consumer Advisory Council for the State of Iowa. The council's strategic direction focuses on identifying important health-related issues through resident surveys, developing leadership among healthcare consumers and advocates, facilitating communication between consumers and policymakers, and fostering partnerships to reduce obstacles to quality healthcare. The overarching aim is to ensure comprehensive access to quality healthcare for all state residents.

This Executive Order establishes the Future Ready Iowa Initiative, setting a statewide goal for 70% of Iowa's workforce to attain post-high school education or training by the year 2025. It mandates the creation of the Governor's Future Ready Iowa Alliance, tasked with developing a comprehensive strategic plan by October 31, 2017. The plan aims to address the skills gap, enhance economic vitality, reduce socioeconomic and racial achievement gaps, and align education, workforce, and economic development systems to create robust career pathways for Iowans.