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Gov. Reynolds takes oath of office, sets priorities
Terry Branstad on Wednesday formally resigned his role as Iowa governor and took an oath to serve as U.S. ambassador to China. Kim Reynolds was then sworn in as Iowa's 43rd governor. Gov. Reynolds gave her first policy address to family, friends and supporters in the rotunda of the Capitol. During this historic event, Gov. Reynolds made clear she is ready to get to work and laid out an aggressive agenda with the slogan "Building a Better Iowa". Gov. Reynolds four goals include: comprehensive tax reform, innovative energy policy, education and training Iowans with the skills they need for the jobs of the future. ABI was honored to participate in the swearing-in ceremony and is excited to work with Gov. Reynolds on the goals she has put forward for her administration and all Iowans. To read the full speech, click here.
Adam Gregg appointed acting lt. governor
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday appointed Adam Gregg as acting lieutenant governor. Gregg will join the governor on a two-day swing around the state, meeting with supporters and constituents from Osceola to Cedar Rapids. Lt. Gov. Gregg will serve in an acting capacity, meaning he will perform all the duties of the office but will not be in the line of succession in the case something would happen to Gov. Reynolds. ABI endorsed Adam as a Friend of Iowa Business in the 2014 election against Attorney General Tom Miller. On Thursday, ABI President Mike Ralston issued a release in support of the Reynolds/Gregg Administration. Click here to read the release.
Final Regional Policy meeting is June 6 in Dubuque
The ABI public policy team is hosting its final Regional Public Policy Meeting on Tuesday, June 6 in Dubuque, ahead of the annual Taking Care of Business Conference. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Grand River Center. ABI staff will present a legislative session overview and a 2018 session preview.
I
f you are not from northeast Iowa but are attending the conference, take this opportunity to participate in a legislative wrap up. Please RSVP to Michelle Vollstedt,
[email protected]
or 515-235-0561.
Workforce Development drafts unemployment rules
Iowa Workforce Development has drafted rules to implement legislation passed in 2017. The legislation increases the amount an individual must earn before becoming eligible for a second consecutive year of unemployment. Keep reading...
Federal Spotlight: ABI member testifies in support of tax reform
David Farr, chairman and CEO of ABI member company Emerson, testified before the House Ways & Means Committee last week in support of tax reform. Farr also serves as chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Keep reading...
Federal Spotlight: Branstad confirmed as Ambassador to China
The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's appointment to become U.S. ambassador to China. The vote was 82-13. The strong bipartisan vote indicates confidence that Branstad will perform well in his new role. As ambassador, he will face many immediate challenges including threats from North Korea, trade, human rights, South China Sea disputes and intellectual property theft. Branstad will undergo a few weeks of training and is expected to be in China by the beginning of next month. The governor resigned on Wednesday and Kim Reynolds was sworn in as Iowa's first female governor. Read more from The Gazette.
Sad weekend in Iowa politics
Iowa has lost two great public servants. Former Lt. Gov. Joy Corning and former House Speaker Don Avenson both died last week, along with Ella Vilsack, granddaughter of former U.S. Agricutlure Secretary and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and daughter of Jess Vilsack. Keep reading...
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