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Legislative Update Call on FRIDAY
The regular monthly legislative update call is scheduled for Friday, April 20 at 8 a.m. Although the Legislature is still in session, the public policy team will provide an update on the budget and remaining policy items. Some progress has been made with the budget. Tax policy seems to be the last major issue expected to get completed before the end of session. If you have not participated in a previous ABI legislative call, please RSVP to
Michelle Vollstedt
. If you have participated in the past, you will receive the call-in information today.
Budget Bills Advance in the House
The House Appropriations Committee passed five budget bills on Tuesday, which was the 100th day of the legislative session. The committee-approved bills are:
The House also released the first draft of the Standings bill,
HSB 690
. The Standings legislation is typically the last bill of the year and includes the salaries for state employees and remaining policy items that lobbyists and legislators are trying to get passed. The Senate released their budget targets on Tuesday night, but we have yet to see budget bills from that chamber. All of this coincides with the two chambers and the Governor's office negotiating a tax reform package. We expect the session to continue for at least another week or two as the bodies continue to work to come to an agreement on tax reform and the budget. Read more.
Federal Spotlight: Senate Confirms New Appointees to NLRB and DOL
The Senate confirmed John Ring to the National Labor Relations Board by a vote of 50-48 last Wednesday. Ring, an employment-law attorney, is the third Republican that has been named to the five-person board. The appointment paves the way for further regulatory reform as the majority Republican panel is sure to roll back several Obama-era rules that tended to favor labor unions. The board is also likely to revisit a joint employer ruling that had to be vacated last December because the board's ethics officer determined one of the members had a conflict of interest.
The Senate also approved Patrick Pizzella to be Deputy Secretary of Labor by a vote of 50-48 last Thursday. He will be second-in-command at the Department of Labor following his confirmation, which comes at a critical time since the department is currently short-staffed. Some of the key issues facing Pizzella will be regulatory reform, the opioid crisis and how that affects workforce and apprenticeships.
Spring Education Campaign Concludes
The spring education campaign for ABI's political action committee, IIPAC, will conclude next Wednesday. Even though some of you may have given to the PAC, we are educating all members about what a PAC can do for the business community. After the spring education campaign, you will begin hearing from ABI policy staff and members about the importance of giving to the PAC. Remember, all individuals who contribute $100 or more to the PAC will be recognized at the ABI conference in June and at other ABI events with a PAC sticker. Thank you to those who have already donated to the PAC.
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Only One Week Left to Save $200
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The Early-bird Rate for the 2018 Taking Care of Business Conference Ends April 27
If you do business in Iowa, the Taking Care of Business Conference is the one event you can't afford to miss. Connect with top business leaders, learn
from leading experts and strengthen
your leadership team. Register now and see who is attending.
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How Leading Iowa Companies Profit from Environmental and Social Responsibility
Iowa Sustainable Business Forum
It surprises me when I meet business leaders who still believe environmental responsibility beyond meeting regulation, or social responsibility outside their four walls, is a cost versus an investment with good returns. CSR and sustainability work around the world, and in Iowa, has proven that leading companies have found ways to do both while profiting along the way.
Keep reading.
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ABI to Host Productivity Seminar Next Wednesday
ABI will host well-known time management expert
Randall Dean for a seminar, "From Distracted to Productive: Finding Your Productivity and Focus in a Hyper-interrupted World."
This 90-minute seminar is April 25, 2 p.m., at the ABI office in Des Moines. Learn more and register.
ATW Training Solutions Achieves Sales Honor
Wiley, the developer of proven workplace assessment-driven solutions Everything DiSCĀ® and The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive TeamĀ®, announced ATW Training Solutions as a 2017 Ruby Award-winning Partner. This recognition commends ATW Training Solutions' commitment to building better workplaces.
Read the news release.
ICR IOWA Names New Director of Talent Attraction
ICR IOWA and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce announced Tim Carty will be transitioning into the role of director of talent attraction for ICR IOWA. Carty is currently the director of member services for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce. He
will begin his new position on May 7. Read the news release.
Leadership Iowa Nominations Due May 1
Nominations for
Leadership Iowa
, Iowa's premier statewide issues awareness program hosted by the ABI Foundation, are due May 1. Leadership Iowa provides an opportunity for 40 current and emerging Iowa leaders to visit eight different locations across the state and rediscover what makes Iowa such a special place to live and work. More than 1,000 leaders from across Iowa and from all industries have graduated from Leadership Iowa over the past 35 years. Nominations may be made
online
.
Elevate Advanced Manufacturing to Host Parents & Students Night in Fairfield
Elevate Advanced Manufacturing is partnering with
Agri-Industrial Plastics
to host a Parents & Students Night, April 24, 6-8 p.m., at
301 North 22nd Street
in Fairfield. Attendees are eligible to win a $500 scholarship.
The evening will include a panel discussion, information about college planning and career opportunities, tour of Agri-Industrial Plastics, pizza and more.
Register to attend by emailing
Kristin Fisher
. Learn more.
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