Appeals Court Issues Stay on OSHA Vaccine Mandate Requirements for Businesses |
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A federal appeals court has issued a stay on the Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released last week for businesses with at least 100 workers. Part of the vaccine mandate goes into effect Dec. 5 for these employers with 100 or more employees - firm or company-wide. Businesses are mandated to provide paid time off to workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as paid leave for an employee’s recovery from any side effects. Employees who are not fully vaccinated will have to wear a face mask indoors or when inside a vehicle with another person for work purposes. By Jan. 4, 2022, all employers must ensure their workers have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
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THIS MORNING: Join ABI’s Meeting at 10:00 to Discuss Complying With Conflicting Laws |
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There is still time to register for ABI's Zoom meeting this morning to discuss complying with conflicting state and federal vaccine mandates.
Kendra Simmons, an employment attorney with ABI Advisory Council member Fredrikson & Byron, will join ABI's public policy team during this Zoom meeting.
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NAM and The MFG Institute Visit Pella
for Creators Wanted Event
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The National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute recently launched the Creators Wanted campaign, which is designed to build a more robust and modern manufacturing workforce. This week, the campaign made a tour stop in Iowa and held an event in Pella at Vermeer Corporation. Part of the tour is a mobile manufacturing experience and dozens of high school students were exposed to the great potential that careers in manufacturing have to offer them.
ABI President Mike Ralston was among the event speakers and discussed the importance of manufacturing for the state of Iowa. Ralston highlighted how the output of all the manufacturing activity is almost $34 billion. Eighteen percent of the state’s GDP also results from manufacturing.
Attendees were able to engage in a number of activities that show how manufacturing is high-tech, clean and can provide a valuable career to individuals. ABI was proud to partner with the NAM, the MFG Institute, Vermeer Corporation and Pella Corporation to host this important event aimed at attracting and building the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow. You can view coverage of the event below:
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Fox Business Report
ABI members Red Boot Distillery and Pella featured in Fox Business report covering Creators Wanted Tour Live and America's manufacturing industry.
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Governor Signs Redistricting Legislation;
Maps Set for Next Decade
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Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed SF 621, which is the Congressional and legislative redistricting legislation. The bill passed with sweeping bipartisan support in both chambers. With the maps now configured and set for the next decade, candidates are beginning to make their intentions known for 2022. Some of the key questions before incumbents include the decision of whether to seek re-election in their newly drawn district or potentially running for another chamber in the Legislature than the one they currently serve in. Expect a plethora of announcements to continue to come over the course of the next few months.
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Miller-Meeks to Run in the New
1st Congressional District in 2022
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First-term Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks announced on Wednesday that she would be seeking re-election to the U.S. House in the newly drawn 1st Congressional District. The decision comes as Miller-Meeks was initially drawn into the 3rd Congressional District where there is already a competitive Republican primary. The winner of that primary would likely be taking on incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne, who has yet to declare whether or not she will seek re-election to the House or run for Governor. With Miller-Meeks deciding to move into the 1st District, it clears the way for her to take on likely Democratic nominee Christina Bohannan, a State Representative and law school professor from Iowa City. Read more from The Des Moines Register.
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IDR Hosting Free Webinar on
Common Tax Issues for Tax Year 2021
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The Iowa Department of Revenue is inviting the public to attend a free online presentation that will provide an overview of common income tax issues for TY 2021 based on previous filing years and tax law changes enacted during the 2020 legislative session. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, November 17th at 12:00 PM. Some key topics the IDR is expected to cover include a summary of the 2020 tax season, common individual income tax errors, tax forms (new and revised) and 2021 matters. There will be time for questions as well. You can register here.
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Air Quality Bureau Meeting Next Week |
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Air Quality Bureau will host a client contact meeting on Thursday, November 18th at 1:00 pm. The virtual meeting is open to any member of the public. Topics expected to be covered including Title V and construction permitting, EASY Air, planning and rulemaking, records and compliance items. You can find the complete agenda and information on how to register for the meeting here. Questions before the meeting can be directed towards Wendy Walker.
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation
Heads to Biden’s Desk
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Last Friday, the U.S. House passed H.R. 3684, better known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts. This means the bill now heads to President Biden for his signature. The legislation, which passed the House 228-206 with 13 Republicans in support and six Democrats in opposition, previously passed the U.S. Senate 69-30 in August. Nineteen Republican senators crossed party lines and backed the bill in the upper chamber. The $1.2 trillion legislation appropriates money for projects such as roads, bridges, broadband, locks and dams, public transit, airports, wastewater treatment facilities and more without raising taxes on job creators. President Biden is expected to sign the legislation into law on Monday. ABI is supportive of the bill’s passage and would like to thank Senator Chuck Grassley and Congresswoman Cindy Axne for voting in favor of the bipartisan legislation. Read more from CNBC.
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Todd McDonald, president of ABI member ATW Training Solutions and a board member of ABI, joined the Weekly Business Report to share the latest talent development trends in the workforce.
Learn more about the 15th annual "Iowa Trends in Talent Development Survey" here.
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Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) Nov. 15-21, 2021. Registered Apprenticeship continues to grow in Iowa to address critical workforce challenges and expand opportunities for rewarding careers. Thank you to the nearly 2,000 employers across Iowa demonstrating that this proven, industry-driven model works. That includes adding a record-breaking 181 new programs and 51 new occupations in the past year. If you are a participating business, please consider highlighting your involvement in Registered Apprenticeship on social media during NAW: #NAW2021. If your company wants to explore starting a program, contact Kris Byam at Iowa Workforce Development: kristopher.byam@iwd.iowa.gov. |
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From the Desk of Mike Ralston
You have heard me say often that adding value for members is what ABI is all about. All these items are important because they allow us to serve ABI members with the tools and resources necessary to add value to your bottom line. That is important because it helps ABI members provide our state with some of the best jobs, with the best compensation and benefits, found anywhere in Iowa. The jobs you provide are what allow Iowa's cities and towns to thrive and grow.
As we turn our eyes to the end of the calendar year in a few weeks, we really are thinking about the year ahead.
CLICK HERE to learn more about upcoming events ABI members can find value in!
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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TAI 2021 Prometheus Award Winners Announced |
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The Technology Association of Iowa last week announced the winners of the 2021 Prometheus Awards Presented by LWBJ. The Prometheus Awards acknowledge individuals, companies, and communities impacting Iowa's technology industry. Below are a list of ABI members who received awards this year.
Software Development Technology Company of the Year - Hy-Vee Inc.
Manufacturing Technology Company of the Year - Kreg Tool
FinTech & InsurTech Company of the Year - MākuSafe Corp.
Creative Technology Solution of the Year - Hy-Vee, Inc.
Best Technology Company Culture - EMC Insurance Companies
CEO of the Year - Randy Edeker, CEO at Hy-Vee Inc.
CIO/CTO/CISO of the Year - Levon Hooks, CIO at Kum & Go
Workiva Large Technology Company of the Year - EMC Insurance Companies
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TOP SUPPORTERS - GOVERNOR |
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