Legislative News
Lykam takes seat in Iowa Senate special election
State Rep. Jim Lykam (D-Davenport) won the special election Dec. 27 for the Iowa Senate seat vacated when long-time Sen. Joe Seng passed away in September. Lykam handily defeated Republican Mike Gonzales and Libertarian Severin Gilbert. This outcome was not totally unexpected, since Lykam has represented half the district in the Iowa House since 2003, and the Senate district has twice the number of Democrats as Republicans. District 45 covers much of west Davenport and the town of Buffalo. With the Democratic pickup, the Republican-controlled Iowa Senate has 29 Republicans, 20 Democrats and one Independent.

Next, a special election will be scheduled to fill the House District 89 seat Lykam is vacating.

Read more: Lykam wins Senate special election   (Quad City Times)
                    Lykam to resign House post on Monday  (Quad City Times)

2017 legislative session countdown
The 2017 legislative session is right around the corner. Jan. 9 marks the beginning of the 110-day session. Click here for a session timetable with all the notable legislative dates, including funnel deadlines.

Still time to save on your Legislative Reception registration
More than 300 people are already signed up for ABI's upcoming Legislative Briefing and Reception on Jan. 11. Sign up today to be in the know about what will happen this coming legislative session. This is also a great opportunity to mingle with fellow ABI members and legislators from around the state. Register by Monday and save $20.  Click here  for more information and to register.

New ABI Legislative staff
Brad Hartkopf has been hired as a third lobbyist on ABI's public policy team. He will begin on Jan. 3. Hartkopf will join Nicole Crain and Jessica Harder at the Capitol this session, representing ABI's interests before the General Assembly. Brad hails from Atlantic and served as a finance deputy for U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley's successful reelection campaign. He also worked on an issue campaign to promote the renewable fuel standard and served as an assistant to state Sen. Mark Costello (R-Imogene). Welcome Brad!

Workplace and Product Safety Committee workers' comp call is Jan. 3
ABI's legislative priorities for 2017 include growing Iowa's skilled workforce and sustaining a competitive business climate. As part of these priorities, ABI is spearheading employer efforts on legislation to improve to Iowa's workers' compensation laws. If you would like to participate in ABI's Workplace and Product Safety Committee workers' compensation call to discuss this legislation on Jan. 3 at 10 a.m., please email Michelle Vollstedt,  mvollstedt@iowaabi.org .

Air quality fee advisory group meetings moved to Feb. 8
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Bureau is moving the meetings for the Fee Advisory Groups from Jan. 11 to Feb. 8 to allow for more time to gather information on the draft budget. Please join us on Feb. 8 to review and provide comment on the draft Air Quality Bureau budget for the next state fiscal year.  Keep reading...
Become an Elevate Ambassador
Elevate Advanced Manufacturing is hosting an ambassador training for everyone interested in helping inform the next generation about career opportunities in advanced manufacturing.   
 
During the training, attendees will learn more about the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and the Elevate Advanced Manufacturing campaign, as well as presentation skills, how to be a successful ambassador and more.   
 
Contact Alex Monaghan,  amonaghan@measuredintentions.com , for more information and to register, or click here .  
 
Upcoming training session:  
 
January 17, 2017  
9 a.m. - noon  
Iowa Association of Business and Industry  
400 E. Court Ave., Suite 100   
Des Moines

Top News
Left to his own devices, Glynn wants to save lives  (Des Moines Register)
ABI member and recent Leadership Iowa alum Gabriel Glynn is seeks to outfit factory workers with wearable technology, tracking working conditions to help prevent injuries and deaths. Glynn is one of The Des Moines Register's People to Watch in 2017.

NyemasterGoode attorney Law helps make Iowa wind power go  (Des Moines Register)
Attorney Kathleen Law works behind the scenes on behalf of wind-energy developers on legal paperwork that spell out in fine detail the property rights of those involved - from rural landowners to the developers involved in building the project. Law is one of The Des Moines Register's People to Watch in 2017.

TrueNorth CEO Duane Smith's latest venture is a classic  (Corridor Business Journal)
Smith recently purchased Classic Enterprises, a licensed car dealer, a collectible car business. 
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