ABI Staff Presents Legislative, Manufacturing Updates to CRDC
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Pictured: Mayor of Clinton Mark Vulich, Rep. Norlin Mommsen, Sen. Chris Cournoyer, ABI's Kathy Anderson and Brad Hartkopf, and CRDC President/CEO Erin Cole
ABI Vice President of Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson and Director of Public Policy Brad Hartkopf traveled to Clinton last week to speak before members of the Clinton Regional Development Corporation (CRDC). A recap of the 2019 legislative session was provided, along with updates on key ABI programming and events including the Year of Manufacturing, Operations Roundtable, digital manufacturing tours, the Advanced Manufacturing Conference taking place in October, manufacturing incentives, and other important upcoming events.
Read more
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Employment & Workforce Committee Speakers Announced
Donna Burkett, bureau chief of the Labor Market Information Division at Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), and Kathy Leggett, Future Ready Iowa policy advisor at IWD, will serve as guest speakers for the Employment & Workforce Public Policy Committee meeting set for Wednesday, August 7 at ABI. Burkett and Leggett are expected to address several topics of interest to ABI members including the status of the unemployment trust fund, employment numbers, Future Ready Iowa and other pertinent issues that fall within the scope of IWD.
Register
for the meeting.
DNR Environmental Management Services (EMS) Workshop In Two Weeks
The Department of Natural Resources Pollution Prevention Services division will host a one-day workshop for environmental professionals on Wednesday, July 17 in Ankeny. “EMS In Depth: How to Continuously Improve your EMS” will discuss issues faced by many organizations that are implementing an EMS and the best management practices for addressing them. The workshop will be led by Tom Dietrich from Gresham Smith, who has extensive experience in ISO 14001 and other EMS.
View
the workshop flyer, agenda and registration form. Contact Jeff Fiagle from DNR at 515-725-8353 or
Jeff.Fiagle@DNR.iowa.gov
with questions.
Support for IIPAC
This year over 80 ABI members have contributed a total of over $40,000 to IIPAC. We have experienced success in promoting pro-business legislation this last session, which saw 12 bills that ABI actively advocated for signed into law by Gov. Reynolds. Your continued support and investment in IIPAC is vital, as your contributions go a long way in helping us achieve our legislative goals. By
making a $100 contribution
today, you can help further Iowa’s pro-business climate and foster pro-business policy on the Hill. Thanks to all of the members who have invested in IIPAC.
DOR Issues Guidance and Rule Regarding Marketplace Facilitators and Remote Sellers
The Iowa Department of Revenue recently unveiled updated guidance for
marketplace facilitators
and
remote sellers
. The latest changes were necessary due to the passage of
HF 779
, a comprehensive income tax clean-up bill, during the 2019 legislative session. The department also released notice rule
ARC 4535C
, which relates to remote and marketplace sales. A public hearing on the rule is scheduled for July 23. The department also maintains a
tax reform guidance page
that has all of the information as it relates to complying with the
2018 tax law
.
Sign up
to receive tax notifications from the department.
Ross Wilburn Wins Democratic Nomination for HD46
Former Iowa City Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ross Wilburn recently secured the Democratic nomination for House District 46. He defeated two other candidates by winning on the second ballot at a convention held last weekend. A special election is being held on August 6 to fill the seat previously held by Rep. Lisa Heddens (D-Ames), who resigned her position in the House after being appointed to fill a vacancy on the Story County Board of Supervisors. Republicans have yet to nominate someone for the general election.
Federal Spotlight: Axne Co-sponsors Legislation to Delay HIT
Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-West Des Moines) recently added her name to a bill that would delay the implementation of the Health Insurance Tax (HIT). The HIT is currently set to go into effect in 2020. The legislation,
H.R. 1398
, would impede the HIT from being imposed until 2022. The tax was created under the Affordable Care Act as a means of helping to pay for the program. It would affect small and large employers and ultimately lead to individuals and companies paying higher costs and more in premiums.
Read more
.
Federal Spotlight: New ACE Rule Finalized; Eliminates Clean Power Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which repeals and replaces the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan (CPP). The CPP, which was announced by President Obama in August 2015, sought to limit carbon emissions from U.S. power plants, which proponents say is driving climate change.
Read more
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Event Spotlight: Executive Open
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Get ready
fore
Iowa's premier executive-level golf event on August 26.
Spend a casual day networking with 144 of Iowa's foremost business leaders at the gorgeous
Des Moines Golf and Country Club
. Find your foursome, or sign up as a single golfer to be placed in a foursome.
Register now
.
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Deadline Reminder: Hotel Room Discount for Okoboji CEO Forum
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Attending the
ABI CEO Forum
in Okoboji? July 6 is the deadline to reserve your hotel room at a discounted rate only available to ABI members. Use the group code "Iowa Association of Business & Industry (ABI)" when booking at the
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center
. If you haven't already, also
register now
for this valuable event for executives, which will be held August 1-2.
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This
is the Goal All Year at ABI, but Especially Every July 1st
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Mike Ralston
President
ABI
Every July 1st, ABI begins a new fiscal year. As I note every year, the date is much more than a simple accounting mark.
July is important to ABI because it provides the opportunity to take stock of the year past and prepare for success in the year ahead. Did we meet the charge from the ABI Board of Directors to be fiscally responsible? Did we meet our financial goals during the past year, and are we well-established for the year ahead? Did we meet our programming goals? Is ABI serving members and providing resources that help improve member companies' bottom line?
Read more
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TDT CPAs and Advisors, P.C. and Partner Receive Awards from HK Financial Services
HK Financial Services (HKFS) recently awarded regional CPA firm TDT CPAs and Advisors P.C. (TDT) the 2018
Top Wealth Advisory Firm,
and TDT Partner Tom Holtkamp the President’s Club Award. TDT received the
Top Wealth Advisory Firm
award by displaying a positive impact to businesses and families across the country. TDT works closely with HKFS to provide independent and objective financial services to their clients.
Read the
full news release
.
Iowa National Guard to Host Civic Leader/Unity Day Event at Camp Dodge on August 21
The Iowa National Guard will host a Civic Leader and Unity Day Event on August 21, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Camp Dodge in Johnston. Community leaders have the opportunity to learn about the training capabilities available at Camp Dodge, as well as the Iowa National Guard's state and federal missions.
Learn more
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The NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center conducted the Youth Entrepreneurial Academy on June 10-14 sponsored by the John K. and Luise V. Hanson Foundation. The academy is offered annually and free to all high school students interested in entrepreneurship. Participants received a $500 NIACC scholarship sponsored by John Pappajohn. This year’s academy included 12 students. Read the
full news release
.
U.S. Department of Labor to Host Retirement Plan Compliance Assistance Seminar for Small- and Medium-sized Businesses
The U.S. Department of Labor will host "Getting It Right – Know Your Responsibilities," a retirement plan compliance assistance seminar, on June 17 in Des Moines. The program will increase awareness and understanding about basic fiduciary responsibilities when operating a retirement plan. The seminar is free.
Learn more and register.
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