Governor Announces More Openings Effective Tomorrow
On Wednesday, Gov. Reynolds signed a
new proclamation
continuing the state public health emergency declaration, which includes some new business openings across the state. Campgrounds, drive-in movie theaters, dental services, tanning facilities and medical spas will be allowed to open up across the state under limited circumstances and under other guidelines. Malls will also reopen with limited capacity. The governor also visited with President Trump and other administration officials on Wednesday in Washington D.C. to highlight the work she and her team have done to mitigate the spread of the virus in Iowa. You can read more about that visit from
KCRG
.
ABI Submits Comments to DNR on Air Monitoring Network & Dispersion Modeling
Last week, ABI’s public policy team delivered comments to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Bureau about its proposals on the air monitoring network and dispersion modeling. The letters were submitted to the department this week after the policy team received feedback from ABI members. You can view our
Air Monitoring Network comments
and our
Dispersion Modeling comments
. You can also read the
response ABI received from the department
regarding our Air Monitoring Network comments.
Unemployment Payments Remain Steady
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced today there were just under 25,000 initial unemployment claims filed by individuals for the week of April 26 through May 2. That number is down about 4,000 initial claims filed the prior week. $50.9 million was paid out of the trust fund for benefits, which is a little less than the $51 million that was paid the week of April 19-25. The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims was 181,358. Sectors that saw the most claims filed included manufacturing (6,053); those who are not identified by industry including the self-employed, independent contractors, etc. (4,010); and health care and social assistance (2,988). ABI continues to work with IWD and track the condition of the trust fund as the landscape of this issue is ever-changing. Read the
news release
.
Dept. of Revenue Announces Continued Deferral Applications
On Wednesday, Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR) Director Kraig Paulsen stated Iowa businesses can continue to apply for a deferral of state sales and/or withholding tax as a part of the Iowa Small Business Relief Tax Deferral Program. Gov. Reynolds initially announced the program on March 23, which includes both deferrals and grants. The DOR administers the deferrals, which stopped accepting applications on April 30. The second round will extend through June 30. You can view the
news release
and find more information on
how to apply
.
House Democrat in Swing District to Retire
It was reported last week that State Rep. Bruce Bearinger (D-Oelwein) will not seek re-election this fall. Bearinger, a four-term representative, had initially decided to run again, but withdrew his name as he has been selected to serve as the new dean of agriculture, animal science and business technologies at Northeast Iowa Community College.
House District 64
is located in most of Fayette and Buchanan Counties, where the main population centers are Oelwein and Independence.
Read more
.
Federal Spotlight: U.S. Chamber, BIPAC Action Fund Endorse Feenstra in 4th Congressional Primary
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the BIPAC Action Fund, the political action committee of the Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC), recently unveiled their endorsements of State Sen. Randy Feenstra in the crowded 4th Congressional Republican Primary. Feenstra, a three-term senator, is one of four individuals challenging longtime incumbent Congressman Steve King for the Republican nomination. According to a
Des Moines Register article
, this is the first time the chamber has endorsed a challenger to a sitting incumbent since 2016. Sen. Feenstra is a former Ways & Means Chair who has floor managed several pro-business pieces of legislation during his time in office including statewide preemption of wages and benefits, property tax transparency and income tax reform. During his campaigns for the State Senate, Feenstra was endorsed by IIPAC as a Friend of Iowa Business.
Federal Spotlight: Deputy Labor Secretary Pens Op-Ed on Keeping Workers Safe During COVID-19
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ABI Survives and Thrives Thanks to You
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Mike Ralston
President
Iowa Association of Business and Industry
ABI was founded in 1903 as the Iowa Manufacturing Association. For the past 117 years, through good economies and bad, ABI member companies have been employing Iowans, supporting families and building communities.
ABI survived two world wars. It survived the Great Depression, the Great Recession, and sometime in the future, it will survive its second global pandemic.
That success doesn’t just happen. It isn’t just luck, although good fortune is certainly a part of it.
ABI has grown and succeeded in exactly the same way ABI member companies have succeeded. By the hard work, dedication and commitment of the women and men who are the backbone of these companies. Their innovation, strong support and leadership are the reasons for ABI’s success.
In the face of COVID-19, all of that is more important than ever. ABI members have retooled to manufacture personal protective equipment. They have donated money to community pandemic assistance funds. Their employees have given time, resources and materials to fight the disease.
ABI has supported all those efforts, and the ABI staff has doubled down on providing meaningful assistance and service to ABI members … so that those members can remain safely in operation and help their employees and their communities.
That’s the real legacy of ABI. THANK YOU for making it so.
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Braun Intertec
FUELIowa
Geater Machining & Mfg., Co.
Mount Mercy University
Navigate Wellbeing
Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc.
Ross Marketing International
Trility
Vector Haus
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Energy Assistance Resources for Iowans
As an essential service, Alliant Energy’s focus remains on providing safe, reliable and affordable energy. During this pandemic, many Iowans are facing tough choices. If someone is having trouble paying their monthly energy bill, there are resources to help:
- Iowans supported by Alliant Energy may request a payment extension or set up a payment arrangement through this link.
- Iowans who meet the income guidelines may qualify for financial assistance toward their energy costs with the federally funded LIHEAP.
- The Hometown Care Energy Fund helps Iowans supported by Alliant Energy with their energy bill directly through local community action agencies for income-qualified customers in need. Contact your local community action agency to inquire about this program.
McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC Obtains the First Plant Variety Protection Certificate for Hemp
McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC is pleased to announce it has successfully obtained, thus far, the only USDA-issued PVP certificate for a hemp variety. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, the USDA began implementation of the bill’s instructions to provide for PVP protection for hemp, as well as for asexually reproduced plants. The USDA began accepting applications in April 2019, and since that date, only one application has successfully been approved for certificate and is awaiting formal signature by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The certificate was to New West Genetics for hemp variety NWG452. Read the
full news release
.
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Upcoming Webinars Hosted by Members
State Reopening Orders and Employee Return to Work Measures
Friday, May 8 | 1 p.m. | LMC Insurance & Risk Management/AssuredPartners |
Register
International Physicians: A Guide to Expanding Healthcare Access Webinar
Tuesday, May 12 | 12-1 p.m. | Fredrikson & Byron |
Register
What You Should Know About the Employee Retention Credit
Medicare and Employee Benefits
Tuesday, May 19 | 2-3 p.m. | LMC Insurance & Risk Management |
Register
Iowa Drug Free Workplace Supervisor Training
Thursday, May 21 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | LMC Insurance & Risk Management/ABIS |
Register
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