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It's Official - Work Comp rates to decrease 8.7 percent January 1st
Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen recently approved a rate filing by the National Council on Compensation Insurance that will decrease workers' compensation premiums by an average of 8.7% starting next year. ABI first announced the proposal in the August 17th newsletter, you can read more
here. The filing occurred on August 9th by NCCI and the commissioner approved of the measure Wednesday. This new decrease is in addition to a 3.9% decrease which took place on July 1st due to ABI supported legislation that was signed into law earlier this year. You can read the order
here.
Switch to W-2 filing extended
In 2016, the Iowa Department of Revenue promulgated
rules which require electronic filing of W-2 forms for Iowa businesses. To allow additional time to implement these new requirements, the Department has proposed
new rules extending the phase-in for one year.
As proposed, the amendment will only require withholding agents with at least 50 employees to file W-2 forms electronically for tax years 2016 and 2017. The requirement that all withholding agents file W-2 and 1099 forms electronically will take effect with tax year 2018 rather than 2017. Interested persons may make written comments on the proposed amendment on or before September 19, 2017. Written comments on the proposed amendment should be directed by mail to Legal Services, Department of Revenue, Hoover State Office Building, P.O. Box 10457, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-0457; or by e-mail to alana.stamas@iowa.gov.
Keep reading...
Federal Spotlight - Deputy Administrator Named for EPA Region 7
The Trump Administration has announced that Cathy Stepp will be named principal deputy administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 office in Kansas City. Stepp, has served as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources for Wisconsin since 2011, and will work with Acting Regional Administrator Chu. The Region 7 office oversees operations in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Read more
here.
Employee Voter Registration Week 2017
Once again, ABI is partnering with BIPAC to provide members with resources during Employee Voter Registration Week (EVRW). EVRW is September 25-29 and a great opportunity for you to reach out to your employees and encourage them to vote. If you are a manufacturer, you can use the sample one-pager
here to communicate with your employees. If you are in a different industry we have sample messaging for you as well. Make sure to check out
www.employeesvote.com and follow @iavotes on twitter!
David Hildahl to join ABI as Communications Coordinator
ABI has completed its search for a new Communications Coordinator. David Hildahl will be join the association in that role. David's first day in the office will be this Friday, September 1.
David has 20 years of experience with firms in Waterloo and Des Moines. He is an award-winning communications and marketing professional, with a strong background in print, copywriting, and digital media. In his career, David has handled virtually every part of a professional communications operation.
David and his wife and 4-year old daughter live in West Des Moines. He holds a degree from the University of Northern Iowa and is an active volunteer in the community. We are excited to have him on board!
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Reserve your room for the 2018 ABI
Taking Care of Business Conference
Conference is Tuesday, June 5, 2018 - Thursday, June 7, 2018
Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
300 East 9th Street
Coralville, IA 52241
(319) 688-4000
Group Code: ABI Taking Care of Business Conference
Rooms starting at
129.00 USD per night
Deadline: May 14, 2018
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R. Scott Johnson
McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC
Patent infringement is a serious matter. Patents give their owners the right to prohibit others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing their patented invention. What happens to your business if you are forced to stop making a top selling product, forced to stop using a cost saving process, or forced to find a new source for an imported component? When a lawsuit threatens your company's ability to make, use, sell, or import the products it relies on, the best thing you can do to protect your business is be prepared.
First things first, do not contact the lawyer or company accusing you of infringement! Anything you say can and will be used against you if you contact the other side. Hopefully you received a letter notifying you of the potential patent infringement before a lawsuit is filed. If so, take that letter to a patent attorney immediately. If you were actually sued, you most likely received a copy of the lawsuit. If so, take the copy to a patent attorney as soon as possible because you only have twenty days to respond. Whatever you do, do not ignore the lawsuit or letter and just hope it will go away. Keep reading...
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Immigration Law Hot Topics for Employers
T
he topic of immigration has been in the news a lot, but how does the changing immigration policy actually impact Iowa businesses and labor market? This presentation will cover the most important takeaways for employers and provide practical insights and pointers to help navigate hiring decisions and avoid some of the common pitfalls.
September 7th at 11:30 - 1:00
ABI Offices | 400 E. Court Ave. Suite 100 | Des Moines, Iowa
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Mark your calendars for the event that will bring "Significance" back to Iowa Trades! (Iowa Skilled Trades)
The Home Builders Association of Iowa and their partners are proud to present an evening with Mike Rowe on Thursday, September 28th 2017 at the Iowa Events Center. Mike Rowe, executive producer and host of Dirty Jobs, has long been an advocate for promoting skilled trades in the workforce.
Hubbell Realty President and CEO Rick Tollakson has received a national award for his leadership to establish "water trails" on 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Greater Des Moines.
Adjusting to the lifelong learning preferences of millennials is just one of the many ways the state's largest provider of continuing education is adapting to the Corridor's changing needs.
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