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Conference Reminder
Leadership Iowa
Top Sponsors
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Leadership Iowa Nomination Deadline
May Board Meeting (Invite Only)
Emerson/Fisher | Marshalltown
Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference
Overland Park, KS
May 11-13, 2016
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Waterloo
Tech Works | Waterloo
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Des Moines
ABI Office | Des Moines
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance |Cedar Rapids
2016 Taking Care of Business Conference
Sioux City
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To foster a favorable business, economic, governmental and social climate within the State of Iowa so that our citizens have the opportunity to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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And the beat goes on...second week of legislative overtime continues
Legislators are still at the state Capitol trying to finalize the budget. Legislative conference committees continue to meet to discuss differences in the budget bills passed by the House and Senate. Only a few budget bills remain before the Legislature can adjourn sine die for 2016. Keep reading for the most recent status of the budget bills.
Differences in standings bill include wage study
The Iowa House and Senate are finalizing an agreement to the standings legislation, an appropriations bill addressing salaries for public employees that also serves as a catch-all of end of session proposals. Both chambers are interested in creating a task force to look at wage discrepancies in the state. Keep reading...
Midwest Environmental Conference is two weeks away
The Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference will be held two weeks from today in Kansas City. ABI is a co-sponsor of the event for the third year. This conference is particularly valuable for those who are responsible for environmental compliance within their organization. Keep reading...
ABI Environment Committee to meet in May
Members of the ABI Environment Committee will meet on Monday, May 23 at 1 p.m. in Cedar Rapids. Discussion topics include: nutrient reduction strategy, antidegradation rulemaking, new air quality permit fees at state and local levels and additional regulatory hurdles that members face.
Keep reading...
Expansion of medical marijuana defeated in House
The Iowa House considered an amendment to a controlled substances bill that would have expanded the accessibility of cannabis oil that contains a low level of THC to those with certain medical conditions. However, it ultimately failed because it would have required individuals to travel to other states to obtain the oil, something House Democrats opposed. Keep reading...
Federal Spotlight: Sign on to Trans-Pacific Partnership coalition letter
ABI has joined the National Association of Manufacturers and a large coalition of organizations urging Congress to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. If TPP is important to you and your company,
click here
to add your company name to the letter. Keep reading...
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3 Days Left to Make Leadership Iowa Nominations!
There's still time to nominate participants for the 2016-17 Leadership Iowa class, which begins in October. The deadline to submit nominations is May 1. Nominate an employee, a local civic leader or yourself for this premier issues-awareness program.
Throughout this eight-month program, participants will travel across Iowa learning about the issues challenging our state and our communities, speaking with thought leaders on these important topics, expanding their professional network and developing a greater understanding of the value and importance of civic engagement. Click here to make your nominations now!
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From the Desk of...Rex Butler, Manager of Environmental & Safety, Central Iowa Power Cooperative
Employers, educate your employees on
the dangers of opioids
The prescription opioid epidemic, in Iowa and nationwide, is frightening. Though laws and policies have effectively reduced and prevented the illegal use and abuse of these medications, users are turning to deadly heroin because it's cheap and easy to find.
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. with 47,055 lethal drug overdoses in 2014 [40% by opioids (painkillers) and 22% by heroin]. Both opioids and heroin are highly addictive and Eastern Iowa has experienced a rash of recent heroin overdoses and deaths.
Many who know me are aware that my brother, Bill, died in July 2006 after an accidental methadone overdose. He was 33, married, and had two young boys. Bill was the youngest of four siblings. His death was devastating to our family. It was so incredibly preventable. He was just two weeks away from his back surgery.
What happened to my brother does not have to happen to anyone. Employers have a special opportunity to help educate employees about the dangers of opioid use, addiction, and death.
Recently, ABI partnered with the U.S. Attorney's office, the National Safety Council, and the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council to call on businesses like yours to join the fight against accidental prescription opioid overdoses. On Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public an opportunity to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Keep reading...
Interested in submitting your own From the Desk of column? Contact Emily Schettler at [email protected].
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Did you miss the Monday Memo from ABI President Mike Ralston? For the most recent memo click
here.
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