Legislative News
Legislature races for finish
Tuesday was the 100th day of the 2017 legislative session and the target adjournment date. Although the Legislature didn't end Tuesday, all signs are pointing to adjournment in the coming days.
The House and Senate have spent many hours in caucus and debating last minute policy and appropriations bills to try to get everything completed by the weekend. All the budget bills have passed at least one chamber, and a few have already been sent to the Governor for his review.

Here is the status of the budget bills:
Transportation  (SF 497): Passed the House and Senate, sent to Governor
Agriculture and Natural Resources (SF 510): Passed the House and Senate
Administration and Regulation (HF 640): Passed the House and amended in Senate
Education (HF 642): Passed the House and Senate
Justice/Corrections  (SF 509): Passed the House and Senate
Judicial/Courts (SF 508): Passed the House and Senate
Economic Development (SF 513): Passed the House and Senate
Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) (HF 643): Passed the House and Senate
Health and Human Services (HF 653): Passed the House Wednesday, expected to be debated in the Senate Thursday
Standings (SF 516): The end of session budget bill that includes policy provisions and more than $3 billion in funding has passed Senate Appropriations, expected to be debated in the Senate on Thursday.

Join ABI's final legislative teleconference April 28
The end of session legislative teleconference is Friday, April 28. This call will include a comprehensive look at what happened in the final weeks of session. The ABI public policy team will also provide an initial look at policy and budget items that are still under review by Gov. Branstad. If you have not yet participated in a conference call and would like to call in next week, please RSVP to Michelle Vollstedt,  mvollstedt@iowaabi.org .

Sign up now for a Regional Public Policy Meeting
The ABI public policy team will travel the state next month to offer an in-depth review of ABI priorities that advanced during the 2017 legislation session. The following meetings have already been scheduled.  Click here to register for these free events:

May 2: Muscatine
May 2: Fairfield
May 9: Des Moines
May 9: Atlantic

We will also talk about what we expect to see for 2018 and how you can get engaged and make a difference.

Join environmental professionals at MECC conference
ABI is once again partnering with the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference (MECC) to bring members a regional event geared toward professional development and updates on the environmental regulatory climate in EPA Region VII. The conference will take place May 17-18 in Overland Park, KS. ABI will also have a role in the conference.  Click here  to view a full agenda and to register.


Sen. Grassley recognized with Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award 
Sen. Chuck Grassley this week was recognized for his leadership and support of manufacturing. Grassley received the Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award during a ceremony at ABI member company Kent Corporation in Muscatine. The award is presented by the National Association of Manufacturers, an organization ABI works with closely on manufacturing issues. If you see Sen. Grassley during the legislative recess, congratulate him on this recognition and thank him for his leadership. 

Tax credit bill advances
HF 652 (formerly HSB 187), legislation that caps economic development tax credits and eliminated refundability for the Research Tax Credit, passed through the House Appropriations Committee last week and was assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill has not moved out of the House Ways and Means Committee and there is no similar bill in the Senate. Time is running out for this legislation to advance in 2017. However, this issue is one the business community needs to continue to have conversations with your local legislators about on the weekends and during the summer. ABI opposes the bill.

Big Iowa companies pay no income tax, get refund checks for research. Some in GOP are taking aim.  (Des Moines Register)

Water quality proposals advance
The House and Senate both advanced legislation this week to implement Iowa's nutrient reduction strategy. The Senate on Wednesday passed SF 512  by a vote of 31-19, which allocates money to point and non-point sources to implement initiatives that will reduce nutrients in Iowa's waters. The House Appropriations Committee passed  HF 612  and the bill is on the House debate calendar and we expect debate on the House floor on water quality soon. Keep reading...
Make nominations to Leadership Iowa now!
Do you know current or emerging Iowa leaders who would benefit from the Leadership Iowa experience? Continue the legacy of leadership and nominate them online to be eligible for the 2017-18 class! Time is running out - the deadline to nominate is May!
Present at the 2017 Advanced 
Manufacturing Conference
Do you have expertise in issues important to Iowa manufacturers? Share your insight with attendees at the 2017 Advanced Manufacturing Conference on Sept. 20. ABI is now accepting proposals for workshop speakers at the conference. 

Proposal Deadline: June 30, 2017

Preferred Topics:
Manufacturing Technologies
LEAN
Automation and Robotics
Building a Culture of Innovation
Data and Benchmarking
Workplace Safety
Creating New Products/Reaching New Markets
Policy Effects on Manufacturing

Email Holly Mueggenberg,  hmueggenberg@iowaabi.org, with your interest or for a proposal form.
From the Desk of...
Issues in Interviewing: The Right Way to the "One"

Margaret Hanson
Attorney
Davis Brown Law Firm

The candidate interview is one of the most vital components in the hiring process. Accordingly, it involves the most forethought and planning. As an employer, you will interview a whole host of applicants to find the "one" - the perfect individual to fill a job opening. Just as in the world of dating where one bad question or one inappropriate comment can ruin a date, the world of interviewing is just as sensitive. Employers must be aware that both federal and state laws may prohibit certain types of questions during interviews and may make certain procedures and disclosures mandatory.

In order to get the most out of the interview, it is essential to carefully consider and craft the types of questions to ask. Most interviewers find it helpful to prepare questions in advance, for a number of reasons. Along with framing an interview style and approach, preparing questions ahead of time will help an interviewer avoid asking the "wrong" question in an interview. Several of the "wrong" types of questions track directly with the questions an employer should avoid asking on a job application,  covered previously. However, there are several other subjects an employer/interviewer must carefully navigate.  Keep reading...
Top News
Move to TechWorks symbolic and timely  (Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier)  
The Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber is preparing to move its offices to the Cedar Valley TechWorks campus 14 years after the idea for the initiative was introduced.

Is Iowa headed for 'full employment'?  (The Gazette)
ABI President Mike Ralston weighs in on Iowa's low unemployment rate and what it means for Iowa's labor force. 

Transition Point offers free Business Succession Planning breakfast    (TPBA)
This seminar on Thursday, April 27, is part of a three-month breakfast series, "Financial Planning for Professionals and Business Owners." Click here to learn more.
Governor's Club Sponsors