ABI Receives BIPAC STAR Award for IAVotes Communications
On Monday,
BIPAC
honored ABI with a STAR Achievement Award for communications related to the association’s prosperity project communications. According to BIPAC, the STAR Achievement Award recognizes prosperity project efforts that incorporate these aspects: strategic thinking, tenacious effort, action-oriented and results-driven.
Read more
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ABI Presents at Legislative Interim Committee
ABI Director, Public Policy Jessica Hyland and ABI member Tyler Marshall (Stanley Consultants) presented to members of a legislative interim committee Wednesday. The committee heard from ABI about industry challenges related to water infrastructure and some of the current issues the association is working to address on behalf of members. Learn more about the
interim committee
. If you’re interested in learning more about ABI’s regulatory efforts or would like to join the ABI Environment Committee, please contact
Jessica Hyland
.
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Revenue Director to Resign in January
Courtney Kay-Decker, director of the Iowa Department of Revenue, is set to resign on January 2nd for a job in the private sector. The news was first reported by Dave Price, who is WHO-TV’s political director. Director Kay-Decker was first appointed by former Gov. Branstad in 2011.
Read more
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Economic Development Authority Proposes Iowa Energy Center Rules
This week, the Economic Development Authority noticed two rules regarding the Iowa Energy Center. The rules involve parameters for a business or other entity to qualify for the grant program and the loan program. ABI is seeking feedback on the rules by Friday, Dec. 14. The first rule is the
Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program
. The second rule is
Iowa Energy Center Grant Program
. If you have any feedback, contact
Jessica Hyland
.
Federal Spotlight: USMCA Trade Deal Signed; Heads to Congress for Approval
Leaders from the United States, Mexico and Canada signed the
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
(USMCA) last week in Buenos Aires at the G20 Summit. This new trade accord is set to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been in effect since 1994. This development serves as a victory for the Trump administration, as the president has routinely called for NAFTA to either be replaced, revised or discarded.
Read more
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ATRA Releases Judicial Hellholes Report
The American Tort Reform Foundation released its
2018-2019 Judicial Hellholes Report
earlier this week. The report highlights nine jurisdictions, courts and legislatures that were the “most unfair,” with California topping the list.
Read more
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Legislative Briefing & Reception: Early-bird Pricing Deadline is Dec. 21
Register now
and take advantage of early-bird pricing for ABI's second-largest annual event. Over 500 people are expected to attend, including more legislators of both parties than any other similar event. The Legislative Briefing & Reception will be Jan. 16 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.
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ABI Members Make Iowa Better
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Mike Ralston
President
ABI
An ABI member reminded me of a column I wrote a few years ago. He told me that with all the negative political rhetoric flowing across Iowa right now, it might be time to see it again. It has been edited slightly to make it more timely.
The open rate for the ABI e-newsletter is statistically very high. Knowing how busy you are, all of us at ABI appreciate you taking the time to open and read this newsletter each week.
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United Technologies to Separate Into Three Independent Companies; Completes Acquisition of Rockwell Collins
United Technologies Corp. announced on Monday the completion of its acquisition of Rockwell Collins and the company's intention to separate its commercial businesses, Otis and Carrier (formerly CCS), into independent entities. The separation will result in three global, industry-leading companies. Read the
full news release
.
ATW Training to Offer Emotional Intelligence Training Session
ATW Training in Urbandale will offer an
emotional intelligence training session
on Dec. 12. Urbandale Chamber members receive a special discount
–
two seats for the price of one. Contact ATW Training at 515-727-0731 with questions.
Iowa Army National Guard Initiative to Connect Soldiers with Employers
The Iowa Army National Guard is creating a new initiative to connect its newest qualified soldiers, returning from their military skills training, with employers seeking to hire service members. A career fair will be held at Camp Dodge the second Tuesday of every month. The fairs will begin on Jan. 8 and 9, 4-5 p.m. both days. For more information, contact LTC Jason Wisehart at 515-252-4133 or
Jason.l.wisehart.mil@mail.mil.
Renew Rural Iowa to Host Seminar for Top Decision Makers
Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa presents The Journey to Your Vision seminar, Jan. 29, in Orange City. Do you know what stage of growth your business is in and how you can reach the next level? Attend this valuable one-day seminar to help stack the odds in your favor by understanding the stages of business growth, their unique challenges and methods to overcome them. The seminar is complimentary, but
registration
is required.
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