Legislative News
Federal Regulation or Policies Getting in the Way? Attend an SBA Roundtable Event.
Although changes have been made to address some challenges with federal regulations, we know there are still issues that affect your ability to grow your business, upgrade new equipment or hire employees.  The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy is coming to Iowa, and their staff wants to hear from you. There is still time to register for one of the roundtable events in Council Bluffs ( July 17 ), West Des Moines ( July 18 ) and Dubuque ( July 19 ).  The agency is seeking feedback from small business owners on what the administration can do to provide meaningful regulatory reform. Whether you can stay for the whole event, or can only drop in at a specific time, the SBA wants your input. Click on the links for more information and to register.
Pictured: ABI Board Chair David Bywater with Sen. Chuck Grassley on July 6  at an awards
ceremony hosted at Bankers Advertising/Tru Art Color Graphics in Iowa City.
ABI Leaders Speak Up for Iowa Jobs with Elected Officials
Last week, ABI Board Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art) hosted Sen. Chuck Grassley for a discussion on issues affecting Iowa businesses and employees. Questions asked ranged from trade to mental health. At the conclusion of the meeting, Sen. Grassley was presented with the Spirit of Enterprise Award from ABI's partner, the U.S. Chamber. 

Bywater, along with ABI Past Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing), had the opportunity to greet Vice President Mike Pence when he landed in Cedar Rapids yesterday. Bywater and Sukup also spoke with Gov. Kim Reynolds and Congressman Rod Blum. ABI board member Cindy Dietz (Rockwell Collins) was instrumental in a successful tour and visit of Rockwell Collins by the vice president. Congratulations, Cindy, on a successful event.
 
Tomorrow, Saxton president and ABI board member Kim Augspurger will host Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon and Gov. Reynolds for a roundtable discussion. Thank you to all ABI members for telling your stories and interacting with elected officials and administration representatives to talk about the importance of a pro-business climate in Iowa and the United States. Your voice matters.

Register Now for ABI Public Policy Committee Meetings
ABI's five public policy committees will meet in August to determine what ABI advocates for in the upcoming legislative session. It's truly a members-only grassroots process and an excellent opportunity for you to bring up issues you would like to see addressed in the new year at the Capitol.
 
Click on the links to register:
  • Employment & Workforce (August 7) -- Focuses on traditional human resources issues including health care benefits and the challenges of workforce and skill development, as well as unemployment compensation issues.
  • Workplace & Product Safety (August 8) -- Focuses on safety of any business's most valuable resource: its people, the products they make and the services they provide. This committee will address occupational safety, workers' compensation and liability issues.
  • Economic Growth (August 14) -- Focuses on economic development issues ranging from regulation of commerce to state incentive programs to transportation of people and goods.
  • Environment (August 15) -- Focuses on issues affecting the regulated community from air, water and land.
  • Tax (August 16) -- Focuses on all forms of tax levied on business including property, income and sales and use tax.
Campaign Finance Deadline Saturday--Donate Today
The campaign finance filing deadline for ABI's PAC, IIPAC, is this Saturday. We are less than $1,000 from reaching the $50,000 mark in fundraising. However, we need your help to get there before our next deadline! Every dollar counts. Please donate $50 today! Click here to make your contribution.

Federal Spotlight: Trump Selects Kavanaugh as SCOTUS Nominee
President Donald Trump chose Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy for the Supreme Court on Monday night. Kavanaugh, 53, currently sits on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. He graduated from Yale Law School, spent multiple years in the Office of Independent Counsel under Ken Starr and served several years in the George W. Bush administration. Kavanaugh is expected to face a bruising confirmation battle, as several Democrats have already come out in opposition to his nomination. It only takes a simple majority to confirm a Supreme Court nominee, and though Senate Republicans currently control the chamber 51-49, there is little to no margin for error as this is expected to be a very partisan fight. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated he would like to have Kavanaugh confirmed before the start of the fall term of the Supreme Court that begins on the first Monday of October.
   
ABI Participates in IWD Stakeholder Meeting Concerning Temporary Layoffs
Iowa Workforce Development has started to gather stakeholder input on addressing the issue of seasonal employment, temporary layoffs and how unemployment for temporary layoffs, as currently defined, affects the unemployment trust fund and tax tables. IWD is exploring ways to ensure the trust fund is solvent and unemployment taxes are fair for all businesses. Business groups and labor groups are now engaged in the discussion, along with the IEDA and IWD. ABI will keep you informed as to any proposed changes to temporary layoffs, unemployment taxes or any other proposals that come forward from these discussions with the department. The Employment and Workforce Committee will hear more about this issue at the August policy meeting. Be sure to register today.
Leadership Iowa Graduation
Leaders and Emerging Leaders Graduate from Respected Statewide Program
Forty Iowans graduated from the Leadership Iowa program during the 2018 Taking Care of Business Conference in Coralville last month. Leadership Iowa, a program of the ABI Foundation, is the one of the state's most respected professional development opportunities. Read the news release.

More:
Speaker Announced
Former ISU Basketball Standout to Speak at Bringing Boji Back
Paul Shirley, current author and former NBA player and ISU standout, will be the keynote speaker at Bringing Boji Back. He will speak about "Breaking Through: What Trying, Failing and (Sometimes) Succeeding Has Taught Me About Being Adaptable."  Bringing Boji Back is August 1-2 in Okoboji. This special event includes an exclusive industry tour of Shine Bros. Corp., valuable programming and networking with top Iowa business leaders. Register now.
From the Desk of...
Impacting Global Supply Chains from the Heartland

Seth Petchers
Board Member, Iowa Sustainable Business Forum
When Frontier Co-op started sourcing spices from around the globe in 1976, we were intentional that doing business in a way that aligned with our core values was equally as important to us as building a successful enterprise. More than 40 years later, that intent has been the secret to our business success. Today, Frontier Co-op sustainably sources herbs, spices and essential oils from more than 50 countries and is continually recognized as leader in the natural products industry.  Keep reading.
Top News
"What's Hot in State and Local Tax" Seminar Scheduled for Next Week
State and local tax rules are constantly changing--making it difficult for your business to stay in compliance and up-to-date on changes affecting your tax liability and responsibilities. Join Eide Bailly for a state and local tax seminar on July 17, 12 -1 p.m.,  at the Embassy Club West in West Des Moines. Registration is free and includes lunch. Learn more and register.

"South Dakota v. Wayfair: How Will It Affect You?" Seminar on July 17
Join RSM   on July 17, 12-1 p.m., for an in-depth look at the U.S. Supreme Court's South Dakota v. Wayfair decision and how it will affect remote sellers. The webcast will cover  a comprehensive overview of the case and what the decision means, w hat effect the verdict will have on middle market companies and what you should do in light of the decision. O ne CPE credit will be offered. Learn more and register .

Sukup Manufacturing Co. Announces Safe T Home Build at 2018 CyHawk Game 
Sukup Manufacturing Co. announced on Tuesday a team will build a Sukup Safe T Home® at the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series football game on September 8.  The build will take place at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, near the Nile Kinnick statue immediately south of the stadium, beginning at 1 p.m.  Former professional football players Tim Dwight and Sage Rosenfels will lead the construction team, which will also include well-known former student athletes, such as Jeff Horner, Jack Whitver, Greg Brunner, Lane Danielsen, Jadda Buckley, and more. Watch the announcement video.

"South Dakota v. Wayfair: 30 Days Later" Webinar on July 24
Post Wayfair, the bright line physical presence law governing sales tax collection no longer exists. With questions about retroactive assessments, safe harbors, and standardization still looming, Dickinson Law state and local tax attorney Cody Edwards will review developments in the sales tax landscape 30 days after the Supreme Court's decision. The webinar is July 24 from 12-1 p.m. Register now.

Call for Nominations: Legends in Manufacturing Awards
On October 2, 2018, Elevate Advanced Manufacturing, an ABI program, will recognize six outstanding leaders in manufacturing at its fourth annual Legends in Manufacturing awards dinner. See the awardee categories and download a nomination form  here. The nomination deadline is August 3.
Governor's Club Sponsors
Chairman's Club Sponsors