Two Weeks Until 110th Day of 2021 Legislative Session
Budget bills continue to advance
The Legislature is continuing to advance appropriations bills, which is a sign that the end of the legislative session is close. The House Appropriations Committee approved its versions of the Education and Economic Development Budgets, while the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its versions of the Ag & Natural Resources, Judicial Systems, Education, Judicial Branch and the Rebuilding Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) Budgets this week. The House and Senate both include significant funding for the Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship Program and the Employer Innovation Fund in their Education and Economic Development Budgets, which ABI supports. With per diem expenses for lawmakers set to expire on April 30, the Senate and the House are continuing to negotiate as both chambers look to bridge the gap in their differences on budget, tax and other substantive policy issues before the end of the month.
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Register for Virtual Regional Meetings Taking Place Next Month
With the Legislature likely set to adjourn around the end of April, the ABI public policy team will present at three virtual regional meetings that have been scheduled for the month of May. Members will have the opportunity to learn about the results of the 2021 legislative session for the business community and ask questions. Meetings will be held virtually, as several companies still have policies in place that prohibit travel for employees.
All three meetings will be held from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. You can register for the meetings below.
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WATCH: ABI Opposes Biden Administration Infrastructure Plan
ABI Vice President of Public Policy JD Davis discusses ABI's stance against the proposed tax increases in President Biden's Infrastructure Plan on WHO 13.
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Iowa Supreme Court Issues Statement on Redistricting
Last Thursday, the Iowa Supreme Court released a statement regarding the potential role it could play in the legislative redistricting process. The court noted that “if the general assembly is not able to meet the constitutional deadline, the supreme court tentatively plans to meet its constitutional responsibility by implementing a process which permits, to the extent possible, the redistricting framework presently set forth in Iowa Code chapter 42 to proceed after September 15. Click here for more information about what that process would look like.
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Iowa Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in ABI v. City of Waterloo Case
The Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday held oral arguments on the ABI lawsuit against the City of Waterloo. You can see the briefs and case information HERE. ABI expects the Supreme Court to rule in early summer on this case.
Read More:
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House Passes Commercial Property Tax Filing Clarification |
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The Iowa House on Wednesday passed HF 865. The legislation allows owners of commercial and industrial property to sell a portion of their property and they will not be required to file for the commercial property tax credit again for the portion they still own. Currently, a business owner that has multiple parcels that are transferred, sold or other ownership changes the business has to refile for the portion they still own in order to retain the credit. The bill now must go to the Iowa Senate.
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Housing Legislation Needs Grassroots Support |
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Governor Reynolds housing legislation is currently in the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees. With the end of session nearing, legislators need to hear from business leaders that this issue is important to you and your community. SF 295/HF 582 does a number of things to improve and enhance our state’s housing stock:
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Expands the workforce housing tax credit program and increases the Small Cities set aside, which will allow more projects to be developed in rural Iowa
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Removes a legislative cap that will allow more money to flow into local housing trust funds
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Creates a new tax credit aimed at incentivizing lower-income housing
This bill is included under ABI’s workforce priority and is a legislative priority for ABI as affordable and available housing across our state will help break down barriers to employment. You can contact your legislator here.
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US Chamber Back to Business Event Recap |
ABI partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 15 and hosted a Back to Business virtual event with Congressman Randy Feenstra (IA-04). During the discussion, members of the US Chamber and ABI had the opportunity to learn more about Congressman Feenstra and his approach to solving issues in Washington. ABI has been a long-time supporter of Congressman Feenstra when he served in the state senate and we appreciated the opportunity to speak with him Thursday. |
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April 27: Maximizing Your ABI Membership Event
Virtual meeting - 11:00 a.m.
Whether your company has just joined the association or you've been a member for a decade, this meeting is for you. ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain will walk through all of the benefits of ABI membership – like the Buy ABI program through which ABI members can take advantage of great discounts!
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June 8 - 10: Taking Care of Business Conference
The conference will take place in person in Coralville/Iowa City
Don't forget to register for ABI's 2021 Taking Care of Business Conference! If you are passionate about business in Iowa, this is an opportunity to meet other industry leaders, network, learn new ideas, and share insight on how to grow and strengthen the state's business climate.
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WATCH: Weekly Business Report
Featuring ABI member Magna International
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Misti Rice, Executive Director of Government Affairs for Magna International, was recently selected to be the Chair of the Board of Directors for Women in Manufacturing. She spoke with ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain about what companies can do to get involved with the organization and upcoming events at WiM.
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Two Weeks To Nominate For Leadership Iowa
Just two weeks remain to nominate a leader for the ‘21-22 Leadership Iowa class! Submit your nominations and learn more online at https://www.iowaabi.org/leadership-iowa/. Self nominations are encouraged.
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Do You Want to Provide a Safer Vending Experience for Your Employees? |
By Federal Machine
Did you know public, high-touch surfaces such as touch screens and buttons on vending machines are breeding grounds for germs? In fact, according to a WebMD article on public hotspots for germs, tests on touch screens at eight fast-food restaurants found bacteria such as staphylococcus.
Click here to read how your business can sanitize high-touch surfaces on vending equipment with UVC light.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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BUY ABI: HRSIMPLE SAVINGS |
Our partners at hrsimple have just released the 2021 Iowa Human Resources Manual. This employment law publication guides you through COVID-19 in the workplace, employee documentation, how to manage the employment process, vacation policy templates, and much more. ABI members receive 20% off all hrsimple products. Enter code IAEM21 at checkout.
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Healthiest State Initiative's 2021 Annual Conference: Keeping Iowa’s Workforce Mission Ready
Individual Registration: $125
When: April 29, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Registration will close at 8 a.m. on April 29. However, attendees are encouraged to register by 5 p.m. on April 23 in order to receive a free wellness box from platinum sponsor Capital City Fruit shipped directly to your home or office. The wellness box includes produce samples, a gift from the Healthiest State Initiative and other items from conference sponsors.
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Webinar Series: Worker Co-op Information
Starting April 22, Advance Iowa will host a series of webinars to discuss selling your business to a broad base of employees in order to maximize financial return, maintain your business legacy, and protect and reward your employees.
Register for the webinar here.
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