The measure, introduced in the House of Representatives, is about economic development programs.

Ulrich said community college leaders across the state are in favor of most of what the legislation includes.

“We’re good with 95 percent of the bill,” he said.

What they object to, he said, is a change that the measure would make in an employee training program commonly called 260E. That number and letter combination refers to the exact section in state law where the program is described and authorized.

The 260E program enables community colleges to provide training for companies that are adding 50 or more employees.

Locally, Nestle Purina PetCare, Cargill and CJ Bio America have all used the program in conjunction with Iowa Central, according to Ulrich.

“This has been a very successful and prudent program over the years,” he said.

To pay for the program, the increased income tax revenue the state government is likely to receive from the new employees is estimated. That estimate is then used to support the borrowing of money via a bond issue to be paid off over 10 years.

A provision in the bill would eliminate that funding mechanism. It would require businesses to pay for the training up front and get reimbursed later.

“That would very much alter or kill the program,” Ulrich said.

He said a lot of mid-sized businesses could not afford the upfront payments.

Community college leaders, he said, would be working to get the 260E change removed from the bill while working to get the rest of it passed.