Deadline Approaching: Sign the USMCA Iowa Letter
If you haven’t yet added your company’s name to the Iowa USMCA coalition letter, there is still time. The
letter
will show the diversity of Iowa businesses, associations and individuals who support free trade and encourage Congress to pass the agreement. The deadline for signing the letter is next Thursday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. Contact
Daniel Heady
with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation if you want to sign on.
Legislature Announces Tax Credit Review Committee
This week the Legislature announced
members
of the Tax Credit Review Committee that will meet this fall and report back to the Legislature. The committee includes the House and Senate Ways and Means Chairs and ranking members, the House Appropriations Chair and ranking member, and three first-term legislators. The committee members are from around the state. It is expected the committee will meet later this fall. Stay tuned for additional information in future newsletters.
Get Involved: Employee Voter Registration Week
Businesses, trade associations and other entities from across the country will participate in Employee Voter Registration Week this Sept. 23-27. The goal of the week is to increase the number of private sector employees registered to vote and encourage them to exercise that right to vote in the upcoming elections. ABI is partnering with BIPAC and several other organizations to promote this important week and to encourage employees to take advantage of their right to vote and have their voices heard in the upcoming elections this November and during 2020. Learn more about
becoming an EVRW partner
and for resources you can use to promote voter registration in your company.
Read more
.
Governor Announces Employer Innovation Fund Recipients
ABI President Mike Ralston joined Gov. Reynolds at her weekly press conference where she announced the 13 entities that will receive the first round of Employer Innovation Fund grants. More than $400,000 in matching funds will be distributed to employers to provide more postsecondary training and education opportunities to upskill employees. The Employer Innovation Fund is a component of Future Ready Iowa. During her remarks, Gov. Reynolds gave special recognition to ABI and thanked ABI members for their hard work and support. ABI played a key role in securing $1.2 million for the fund during the 2019 legislative session. The second round of Employer Innovation Fund applications will begin on Sept. 4 and close on Nov. 8. Read more about the
fund
and read the
full news release
.
Keep reading
.
Iowa Caucus Candidate Forums Scheduled
Individuals will have the opportunity to hear from presidential candidates at a series of candidate forums in Des Moines. The first forum will take place next Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the State Historical Building. Former Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) will speak and take questions from audience members. Former Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) is scheduled to participate on Thursday, Oct. 17. The events are free and open to the public. Learn more about the
caucus events
.
Read more
.
Federal Spotlight: Sen. Grassley Receives Spirit of Enterprise Award
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Pictured: Sen. Chuck Grassley and former ABI Chair Charese Yanney
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented Sen. Chuck Grassley with the Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-growth legislation during the second session of the 115th Congress on Monday in Sioux City. ABI member company Guarantee Roofing & Siding and former ABI Board Chair Charese Yanney hosted the event. Senior Vice President, Public Policy Nicole Crain was on hand for the meeting. The chamber awards this distinct honor to members of Congress who support the chamber’s position on key business bills at least 70% of the time each session.
Read more
.
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Event Recap: ABI Executive Open
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Over 120 of Iowa's top business leaders played in the ABI Executive Open on August 26 at the gorgeous Des Moines Golf and Country Club.
Despite the original forecast, it was a great day for golf–and an even better one for networking. Congratulations to the winning
group: David Dickson, Ryan Heiken, Jeff Kraber and John Textor.
And thanks to everyone who participated as golfers, sponsors, or reception attendees. See
more photos
from the event.
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Safety Considerations for Remote Workers
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Juli Jenkins, SCLA
Client Service Executive
LMC Insurance and Risk Management
Thanks to technology, working remotely has become a more accessible and more plausible option for employees everywhere. With more companies offering work from home policies, it’s crucial for employers to be aware of the unanticipated risks and be ready to address them.
Keeping employees who work remotely safe is a difficult challenge since they are not in a controlled work environment. OSHA will not do home safety inspections; however, the agency maintains employers are responsible for safe working conditions regardless of location. Because employers are responsible for worker safety, injuries that occur while working off-site will likely fall under workers’ compensation.
Read more
.
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Fredrikson & Byron to Hold Employment Law Seminar in Des Moines
Get in front of compliance issues and workplace problems before they escalate. Learn to anticipate and mitigate liabilities at Fredrikson & Byron’s annual Employment Law Seminar on Oct. 4 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown. From legal complexities and cultural norms to performance concerns and difficult personalities, the half-day seminar goes beyond the surface to offer legal and practical guidance for fostering a positive, productive and compliant workplace. Leave informed, empowered and ready to address any gaps in current workplace practices.
Learn more
.
U.S. Chamber to Host U.S.-Africa AgTech Forum in Des Moines
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host the U.S.-Africa AgTech Forum on Oct. 15 at the Marriott Downtown Des Moines. This unique event will create a collaborative space for information and best practice sharing in the AgTech space, along with establish a platform to address policy challenges in implementing these new technologies. It will include dialogues ranging from traditional panels to transformation talks on innovative technologies, all with the goal of facilitating investment between the U.S. and Africa.
Learn more
.
FedEx Expands Cargo Operations at Des Moines International Airport
According to the Business Record, the Des Moines International Airport last week completed a $9.16 million expansion of cargo operations. The article said, "The cargo project added a new 44,446-square-foot building that will be leased to Federal Express and Worldwide Services. FedEx will occupy 33,000 square feet, an addition of 14,670 square feet after moving from the old 27,500-square-foot building. FedEx is looking to expand storage and to improve efficiency, airport officials said." Read the
full article
(subscription required)
.
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