Special Session Begins October 5, 2021 |
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The special session under the golden dome starts October 5, 2021. This session will focus on redistricting, the process of creating new state legislative districts and districts for Iowa’s four congressional seats. This process repeats every 10 years and the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency produces maps based on new population data collected in the decennial census.
How Iowa’s Process Is Unique: Fifty years ago, Republicans and Democrats could not decide on new maps after the 1970 census. The Iowa Supreme Court eventually stepped in and created maps that neither party cared for. Legislators resolved they would not let that happen again. This is where the Legislative Services Agency plays a role. The non-partisan agency draws maps without regard to incumbent legislators or party registrations within districts among other factors. The legislature must vote to approve or disapprove of their work. If the maps are rejected, the process begins again - including an up or down vote on the second set of maps. If rejected a second time, a third set of maps is produced, but the legislature is free to amend the boundaries of the third version. This has not happened since Iowa adopted the non-partisan system.
Feedback So Far: The special session is required because the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the delivery of 2020 census data to the state. Early reaction to the maps has drawn endorsement from Democratic leaders and reserved comments from their Republican colleagues. There is no indication that the votes are present to endorse or scuttle the first draft of maps. If they are voted down, the legislature would need to convene again for further consideration. Next week’s newsletter will reveal if the maps are approved or if the process continues.
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Candidates Selected for Special Election in House District HD 29 |
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Earlier this summer, State Representative Wes Breckenridge resigned his Newton-area legislative seat to give his full attention to the number two position at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. The resignation has prompted an October 12, 2021 special election so the voters of the district can choose a replacement to serve the remainder of Breckenridge’s term.
Democrats have selected current Newton City Council member Steve Mullan. Mullan is a retired Newton High School teacher. He faces Jon Dunwell, a former pastor and current financial services representative.
House District 29 is a true swing district, as it voted to reelect President Donald Trump while voting to send Democrat Breckenridge back to the Iowa House in 2020. Dunwell, the Republican running in the special election, lost to Breckenridge in that contest.
Given that Dunwell has recently run in a race across the district, he is given a slight edge over Mullan, who has only campaigned in Newton proper. Read more from The Des Moines Register.
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State Ends FY21 With Record Budget Surplus |
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This week, the State of Iowa closed the books on Fiscal Year 2021 with a $1.24 billion budget surplus. The State’s emergency and cash reserve funds are also topped out, hitting just over $800 million. Iowa’s fiscal year ended June 30, but there is an accrual period of 3 months following that as the State officially closes their books. In May, the Legislative Services Agency estimated the surplus for FY21 would be just under $500 million. Personal income, sales and use and corporate taxes were up significantly higher than agency analysts expected between May and the present.
Iowa has one of the healthiest budgets in the nation due to a number of factors including Governor Kim Reynolds declaring from the onset of the pandemic that over 80% of businesses are “essential.” This means they never closed. Prudent and conservative budgeting by the Iowa Legislature affected the budget as well. Governor Reynolds has indicated on multiple occasions that individual income tax cuts would be at the forefront of her agenda during the 2022 legislative session. Read more from The Des Moines Register and The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier.
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Grassley Announces Run for Eighth Term |
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What were you doing last Friday morning at 4 a.m.? If you were U. S. Senator Chuck Grassley, you were lacing up your running shoes for a routine jog when you decided it was the right time to announce, after much speculation, that you would seek reelection to an eighth Senate term. This is the first newsletter since his announcement and the news is not news to anyone any longer. If you would like to view the tweet that broke the news or would like to see the political analysis about his reelection bid, read The Hill.
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Paulsen to Lead Department of Management |
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On Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) Director Kraig Paulsen would become the interim director of the Iowa Department of Management (DOM). Paulsen will take on that role while simultaneously maintaining his position at IDR. He became interim director of DOM effective today. He will also sit on the Revenue Estimating Conference which is a three person panel that provides budget forecasts for the legislature and the governor. Before becoming IDR Director, he worked at Iowa State University College of Business leading a supply chain management initiative. Prior to that, Paulsen was a legislator in the Iowa House from 2002 through 2016 and served as Speaker from 2011 to 2015. |
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EPC Approves Annual Permit Fee for Water Use and Allocation |
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The Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) held their monthly meeting last week and considered the DNR’s proposal for the annual water use and allocation permit. The EPC approved keeping the permit fee at $95 for Fiscal Year 22, which is the same as it has been for the last two years. ABI supports the EPC’s decision and was part of a stakeholder group organized to review and consider the potential amount of the fee. Any person or entity using 25,000 gallons of water in a single day is required to have this permit. The permit is issued for a period of up to 10 years. |
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Result of Infrastructure Vote/Latest on Reconciliation |
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ABI has joined in efforts to pass a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure funding bill that has passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support and is awaiting consideration by the U.S. House. ABI is also advocating against a series of tax increases included in a broader $3.5 trillion bill the U.S. House is simultaneously considering which creates and expands entitlement programs and policies addressing climate change.
Currently, the House Democratic Caucus is at loggerheads on a strategy that can accomplish both measures. More moderate Democrats favor the infrastructure bill and want a stand-alone vote on that measure. Progressive Democrats threaten to withhold support for the infrastructure bill until a commitment to the social spending bill is secured. Scheduled votes on the preferred infrastructure bill have twice been announced and postponed by House leaders as lawmakers have not formed a consensus at press time.
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OSHA to Publish Proposed Rule Regarding Extreme Heat |
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Last week, President Biden's Administration announced the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would begin the process of drafting and eventually issuing a rule creating a standard for protecting workers from extreme heat. The Administration says they’re moving on this effort as a means of tackling the growing threat of climate change. OSHA will expand workplace enforcement on days where the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional educational resources will be provided to employers as well. According to Politico, OSHA will publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register next month. ABI will be following the development of this issue. Stay tuned for more information in future newsletters.
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Help Us Update the ABI Member Directory! |
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We are in the process of updating our member directory for inclusion in the 2022 ABI Resource Guide. If you have changes to your personal or company information, please call 515-280-8000 or email them to Dorothy Knowles by October 15!
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Check out Elevate Iowa's latest episode of their "Not A Dirty Job" series highlighting ABI Member Jackson Manufacturing in Maquoketa!
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From the Desk of Mike Ralston
Members of the ABI Board of Directors are likely tired of hearing me say that I like things that can be measured. I do value metrics, however, because they provide insights into how our organization is performing. And just as our member businesses, ABI must perform well to succeed.
Because of that, it is great to receive the monthly financial report and see that our balance sheet is as strong as it has ever been and getting even stronger. It is great to receive program summaries and see that the number of programs and participation in those programs have significantly increased. It is great to see that our public policy work is incredibly successful.
One thing we have learned from members is that continuous improvement is the goal.
CLICK HERE to read what ABI has learned from our members.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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MECC Early Bird Pricing Ends October 7th |
The 2021 Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference examines the new environmental reality under the Biden/Regan era. They take a fresh, regional approach to the increasingly difficult task of environmental compliance, permitting, enforcement, and other critical environmental issues that impact Midwest facilities and institutions.
Register before Friday, October 8th and save $80 on registration! CLICK HERE to register.
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Free HomeField Advantage Heartland
Virtual Conference - October 15
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The HomeField Advantage series is an opportunity for agriculture, transportation and technology industries to learn from each other and plan how to leverage regional strengths. Join the first virtual, interactive discussion on October 15th to identify potential pilot projects focused on:
- Driving down the cost of transporting ag products
- Improving access to carbon credit markets and other economic opportunities
CLICK HERE to learn more and register for this FREE, virtual event!
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TOP SUPPORTERS - GOVERNOR |
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