Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Gross says if elected, he’ll seek “regulatory reform” that’d streamline the process for businesses seeking state permits.Gross proposes a deadline for state review of permit applications, and unless there are extenuating circumstances, the permit would be granted by the deadline. Gross says such a move would allow businesses to act more quickly on expansion plans.Gross says Iowa has lost economic development opportunities because permits weren’t approved quickly enough. Democrat Governor Tom Vilsack undertook a top-to-bottom review of state administrative rules three years ago, but Gross says there was a flaw in that process and he’d also launch another examination of every state rule and regulation.Gross says every rule should be evaluated to judge how it impacts economic development and growth in the state. Gross today got the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, an association for small business owners that Gross’ father was a member of when he ran a mechanics shop in Defiance, Iowa.
