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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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Employer Unemployment Insurance Taxes to Decrease Next Year
The Department of Workforce Development recently announced that beginning on January 1, Iowa employers can expect to see their unemployment insurance taxes decline on an average of 25 percent on 2018 wages. This is due to the strength of the unemployment insurance trust fund, unemployment contributory wages and target levels of the unemployment insurance contributory wages. ABI also supported legislation that was signed into law during the last session that will save the unemployment insurance trust fund $2 million dollars. You can read the press release
here.
Legislative Policy Committee Meetings Conclude
ABI's annual legislative policy committee meetings for it's five policy committees--Economic Growth, Workplace and Product Safety, Environment, Tax, and Employment and Workforce--met during the last two weeks to review ABI's legislative policies and discuss ABI's priorities for the 2018 legislative session. Participation was the highest ever with 210 individuals registered, representing over 121 companies. Thank you to all who participated in these important meetings to drive ABI legislative policy!
ABI's policy process began this summer, with regional meetings around the state and will conclude with board approval of the legislative priorities as presented by the full ABI Legislative Committee. The next step in the priority process will be Legislative Committee review and approval of the priorities on August 31st.
Iowa School Board Elections Coming Up
Don't forget to vote in your local school board elections coming up Tuesday, September 12th! Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You can call or visit your county auditor's office for a list of candidates and where to vote in your community.
Also, save the date for Employee Voter Registration Week September 25-29 and look for more information in future newsletters about how you can drive employee voter registration in your company.
2018 Gubernatorial update - who's in, who's out?
Several candidates have announced campaigns for Iowa's 2018 Gubernatorial race. Though we are still 10 months from the primary, multiple candidates have either dropped out or have jumped in since our last update.
- Republicans in the race
- Kim Reynolds - Governor of Iowa
- Ron Corbett - Mayor of Cedar Rapids
- Steven Ray - City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem of Boone announced his campaign in July
- Democrats in the race
- Nate Boulton - State Senator and labor attorney
- Fred Hubbell - Retired businessman
- Andy McGuire - Former party chair
- John Norris - Former aide to Governor Vilsack
- Jon Neiderbach - Former Des Moines School Board member
- Cathy Glasson - SEIU activist
- Ross Wilburn - Former Mayor of Iowa City
- Democrats out of the race
- Rich Leopold - Former DNR Director suspended his campaign in June
- Mike Matson - Davenport Alderman who suspended his campaign in July
- Todd Prichard - Three-term State Representative and attorney ended his campaign for governor this month and instead will seek re-election for the Iowa House
- Libertarians in the race
- Jake Porter - Business consultant who announced his campaign in July
Federal Spotlight: Action Alert - Submit WOTUS Comments
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently accepting comments as the agency is in the process of rewriting the 2015 Water of the United States rule. The rule was established under the Obama Administration and vastly expands the definition of navigable waters under the Clean Water Act of 1972. The rule was arcane and burdensome. This is your opportunity to have a say in the process and support a definition of the rule that allows for common sense protection of our waterways. Click
here to submit your comments.
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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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Paul M. Galloway, CFA
Bridgepoint Advisory Services
Anyone that's been through the process of securing capital, making an acquisition or transferring ownership knows how complex, time consuming and frustrating transactions can be. There are many things that can get in the way of a deal closing, like negotiating issues, due diligence surprises, unrealistic valuation expectations, and cultural differences, among others.
There are a variety of things that improve your chances to obtain a successful outcome, but there's one thing you really need - that is often overlooked - and that's discipline. It's a long, winding and poorly lit road between wanting to do a deal and actually getting it done. Give yourself the benefit of a road map. Understand clearly what your objectives are...before you start...and then stick to them.
If you are raising capital, know the amount you are seeking, but more importantly you need to understand what the capital will do for you (what value will it create) once it's deployed in the business. Also, raising capital is more than getting a check. Along with the check comes the check writer, too. So, it's wise to start the capital raise process by understanding what you want in a capital partner and then, as the process moves along, evaluate them based on your criteria. Also, don't hope that they will be a good partner, perform reverse diligence by asking to speak with companies that have taken their capital. Find out what they are like in the board room, how they handle unexpected situations, and if they would recommend the capital provider to others. If it's a stand-up firm, they will respect and respond to your request.
Keep reading...
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Iowa enjoys a STEM state of mind. Please consider joining or building upon our partnerships
(STEM News)
As the gears of schooling re-engage across Iowa, STEM plays a bigger role than ever. Three hundred twenty-six Iowa school districts have by now taken part in one or more programs of the Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Manufacturing workers depend on NAFTA
(The Hill)
Today, North American manufacturers and workers participate in the most vibrant commercial market in the world, thanks in large part to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Hy-Vee's new offices are like nothing you've seen before
(The Des Moines Register)
Veterans, National Guard members, Reservists and your spouses
, you have served America, now let us serve you by helping you start, build and grow your business!
National Certification Awarded to Ankeny Business Woman
(Signarama)
Kathy Evert, owner of KJ Signs, LLC dba Signarama-Ankeny, has received the designation as a Certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) from the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC).
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