The Voice of Iowa Business

June 14, 2018

Conference Recap

Best. Conference. Yet.

Thank you t o the record 600 attendees of the 2018 Taking Care of Business Conference. With eye-opening keynotes, wisdom-filled workshops, tons of tailgate fun at Kinnick Stadium, special appearances by the governor and lieutenant governor, and second-to-none business networking, it was easily the best conference yet. Save the date: Next year's conference will be June 4-6 in Ames.

Cedar Rapids Gazette: Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks to Iowa Association of Business and Industry's Taking Care of Business Conference (Slideshow)
Corridor Business Journal: ABI conference highlights changing trade, cybersecurity arenas

Legislative News

Governor/Lt. Governor Address ABI Conference Attendees

Attendees heard from Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg on Wednesday, June 6 during the ABI annual conference. The governor spoke about her bipartisan legislative successes, and they both mentioned the work being done in rural Iowa to help revitalize and strengthen the entire state. ABI's Gold and Platinum IIPAC investors enjoyed lunch with Gov. Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Gregg prior to the remarks. In addition to the governor's address, the ABI public policy team hosted a workshop that featured political insiders' looks at the election landscape this fall. Check out photos from #ABICon18 .

Iowa Primary Turnout Posts Big Numbers

The primaries were held on Tuesday, June 5 during the ABI annual conference. Although there was not a legislative news report last week to share the results of the primary, a few highlights included high turnout and one statewide race going to convention this weekend. A full analysis of races will be in the next IIPAC newsletter, but a few highlights include Fred Hubbell winning the Democrat ticket for the governor race, the Republican secretary of agriculture race going to convention to be decided by delegates, Democrats nominating strong contenders for secretary of state and auditor, and the third-highest primary voter turnout. For more information about the primary election, specifically the results of statewide races, look for the upcoming IIPAC newsletter. If you don't give to IIPAC, you won't receive this newsletter, so click here to give to IIPAC today! Keep reading for news reports about the primary election.

Department of Revenue Guidance on Tax Reform

The Iowa Department of Revenue has dedicated a portion of its website to the 2018 tax reform legislation. In addition to guidance on some of the provisions that will go into effect in tax year 2018, the DOR has an Iowa Tax Reform page where you can request guidance about the tax reform bill. If you have specific questions about the legislation and would like ABI to ask them on your behalf, please let us know, and we will be happy to put in a request for guidance. Although the bill is law, several components do not go into effect until tax year 2019. Also, a portion of the sales tax provisions are dependent on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling of the Wayfair Case, which would overturn Quill and allow states to collect on internet sales. Stay tuned to future ABI newsletters for information on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

ABI Amicus Supported Brewer-Strong Work Comp Decision

Last week, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in a 6-1 decision with Justice Hecht dissenting that the employer provided necessary medical care and was correct in the denial of healing period benefits. ABI, along with other organizations, got involved in the case from the alternate medical care perspective. The ruling, if overturned, would have affected the balance of care in a workers' compensation claim. In our opinion, it would have a devastating effect on employer-directed care and increase costs. ABI is pleased with the outcome of the decision. Congratulations to ABI member company Hopkins-Huebner for its work on the case and Nyemaster Goode, P.C., which wrote the brief on ABI's behalf. Read the decision .

Air Quality News: No Fee Changes and Contracts to be Discussed

The DNR Air Quality Bureau has announced there will be no air quality fee changes for Fiscal Year 2019, which begins on July 1. Fees are assessed for Title V emissions, applications for initial and renewal Title V operating permits, applications for new source review construction permits, asbestos renovation notifications and asbestos demolitions notifications. You can find more information on air quality fees here . ABI works closely with the DNR Air Quality Bureau to ensure the fees businesses pay are used effectively and that businesses work to receive their permits in an efficient and timely fashion. Keep reading.

IWD Rules Final, Changes to Severance Made

Members of the ABI public policy team attended the Administrative Rules Review Committee on Tuesday. During the meeting, Iowa Workforce Development provided an update to proposed rules, including one ABI was monitoring, as it changed the definition of severance. IWD decided not to pursue changes at this time, but we expect to see legislation come forward in 2019 to clarify deductible and non-deductible charges for employers when it comes to unemployment and separation agreements. Plan to attend the ABI Employment and Workforce Committee meeting in August to learn more about this issue and how you can get involved. Registration is now open here . IWD and the Labor Division brought forward other rules regarding unemployment changes, OSHA fines and boilers. All other rules went through as initially drafted.

ABI Policy Committee Meetings Scheduled, Registration Open

The 2019 policy process started with the conclusion of the 2018 legislative session. In addition to regional meetings and a legislative wrap-up call, ABI members are encouraged to attend one or more public policy meetings in August. The meetings have now been scheduled, and guest speakers will soon be announced. Click here to see the dates and register for these no-cost meetings! The meetings include lunch and a presentation by a speaker, and then policy discussion will follow the formal presentation. Last year more than 200 members participated in the committee meetings, and we hope to break that record this year!

Federal Spotlight: August Recess Canceled, Congress to Remain in Washington
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has canceled all but the first week of the traditional August recess in light of "historic obstruction" from Democrats on President Trump's nominees. Senator McConnell has said that the Senate will work on confirming Trump's nominees as well as pass individual appropriations bills. Democrats have argued that McConnell is doing this for political purposes by keeping potentially vulnerable Democrats up for re-election this fall from campaigning back in their home states over the course of the month.

Federal Spotlight: ABI to Partner with U.S. Chamber for Spirit of Enterprise Awards

ABI is proud to once again partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as it distributes its annual Spirit of Enterprise Awards to pro-business members of Congress. The Chamber announced in March that 249 members of the House and 48 members of the Senate will receive the award for supporting pro-growth policies in the first session of the 115th Congress. To receive the award, legislators must have scored at least 70% via the Chamber's How They Voted scorecard. Several members of Iowa's delegation will receive the award. Stay tuned for further information in coming newsletters.

New Staff Member

Coady Joins ABI Foundation

Rebecca Coady has joined the ABI Foundation as development director. She was previously program support manager for the Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in Johnston.

"Becky Coady is a leader," said Mike Ralston, president of ABI. "Her experience with the ABI Foundation programs, her passion for Iowa, and her statewide network of contacts and resources will be key factors in the continued success of the foundation."

Read the news release .

From the Desk of...

Does Workers' Compensation Cover PTSD?

Juli Jenkins, SCLA

LMC Insurance and Risk Management
juli.jenkins@lmcins.com

Knowing how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is defined and how your state's work comp laws address it can help you make sure your employees get the help they need.

It's common to think of PTSD in connection with military personnel; however, anyone who has been exposed to a traumatic experience can suffer from PTSD. Most cases of work-related PTSD come from high-risk occupations, such as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical crews. However, any dangerous environment can bring about PTSD symptoms if an event causes psychological trauma. Keep reading.