The Voice of Iowa Business

August 8, 2016

Legislative News

ABI's PAC releases Friend of Iowa Business designations

The Iowa Industry Political Action Committee (IIPAC) released its legislative endorsements on Wednesday. The IIPAC Board is bipartisan and considers endorsements based on interviews, voting records, and input from members. Seventy-eight candidates were endorsed. Click here to read the release. With fewer than 100 days left before the election, IIPAC is only 60 percent of the way to the fundraising goal this year. Can you help and donate $78 for the 78 candidates IIPAC endorsed this year?

Sales tax exemption goes before administrative rules committee Friday

The rules to implement HF 2433 as it related to the exemption on supplies used in manufacturing will receive review by members of a legislative committee on Friday. The Department of Revenue will present their rules to the committee and take questions about the draft. Keep reading...

Employment and Environment committees meet next week

The Employment and Workforce Committee will meet Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the ABI office and the Environment Committee will meet Wednesday, Aug. 10. Both meetings have a guest speaker and include lunch. The meetings are part of the ABI annual policy development process and are a great opportunity for members to get more engaged with ABI. Click here to register for the committees. Please note: parking for the committees is available across the street to the south of the ABI office. For more information about parking please contact Michelle Vollstedt, mvollstedt@iowaabi.org .

ABI monitors Polk County minimum wage task force

A 13-member task force looking at raising the minimum wage in Polk County met Monday, and agreed to recommend a three year stair-stepped minimum wage increase to $10.75 by 2019. The state and federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour.

The task force discussed when the first increase to $8.75 per hour would be implemented-either January 1or April 1 of 2017. With the intent to give businesses time to implement the first wage increase, task force members chose April 1. The second and third wage increases to $9.75 and $10.75 would take effect January 1 of 2018 and 2019 respectively. The group also agreed that after the $10.75 level is reached, a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase should be considered each year. Keep reading...

Join LIU students in Ames, Leighton

The 2016-17 Leadership Iowa University class kicks off on Sunday in Des Moines, and ABI members have the opportunity to meet students at two upcoming receptions. Meeting business leaders and learning about the career opportunities available to them in Iowa are two important components of the LIU program. You can help these students gain a better understanding of why they should start and grow their careers in Iowa once they graduate. This is also a great chance to meet with students who could one day become your employees.

Monday, Aug. 8, 5:15-6:30 p.m. in Ames: Meet with students at the new Economic Development Core Facility in the Iowa State University Research Park, 1806 Collaboration Place (First Floor), Ames.

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 5-6:30 p.m. in Leighton: Meet with students at ABI member Tassel Ridge Winery, 1681 220th St., Leighton.

Appetizers and beverages will be served. Both events are free of charge, but registration is requested. Click here to register by Friday, Aug. 5.

Legends nominations due Friday!

Time is running out to nominate iconic manufacturers for the prestigious Legends in Manufacturing Awards. The deadline to make your nominations has been extended to Friday, August 5! These awards recognize key leaders and champions of this important industry. Award winners will be recognized at a dinner on Oct. 3 at The Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona.

The awards will recognize five outstanding leaders in manufacturing, including individuals who have served as key leaders within a company and individuals or organizations not directly engaged in manufacturing but who support the industry as a whole. Click here to learn more and submit an application. Mark your calendars now to attend the Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner on Oct. 3 and the Advanced Manufacturing Conference on Oct. 4.

From the Desk of...

Member input critical to ABI's public policy success

Mike Ralston, President

Iowa Association of Business and Industry

ABI is heavy into policy development for 2017. By the time the process is completed in September, more than 500 members will have been involved in meetings related to the policy process.

That member involvement is the key to ABI's award-winning public policy success. State officials know that it is you, business leaders from across Iowa, that drive these policies. They know that these issue positions are not political, they are the product of women and men focused on growing Iowa businesses and Iowa jobs. They trust that you know the impact of policy matters on the way your business operates and that you know best how to help your employees and your customers succeed.

Once the ABI Board of Directors adopts final positions in mid-September, the ABI public policy staff will begin the process of educating state officials and candidates about the policies. You can help further by inviting officials and candidates into your facilities. Show them your operations, introduce them to your employees, and make sure they understand how their actions impact your ability to operate your business well. And let us know about these visits when they take place. Keep reading...