The 2022 Legislative Session is Underway, ABI Priorities Highlighted |
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On Monday, January 10, the 2022 Iowa legislative session convened. ABI started that day by delivering copies of our priorities to legislators as their leaders gave their opening day remarks, setting the priorities of their respective chambers. Speaker Grassley’s remarks in the House and Majority Leader Whitver’s remarks in the Senate focused on two main ABI priorities: tax reform and building workforce.
On Tuesday, January 11, Governor Reynolds delivered her Condition of the State address and laid out a bold vision for tax reform and workforce issues in her remarks.
ABI applauds the attention to these key priorities and looks forward to working with all parties to get them enacted.
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Another Successful Legislative Briefing and Reception is in the Books |
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ABI members and legislators convened in Des Moines on Wednesday evening for another outstanding legislative briefing and reception. The public policy team kicked off the event by providing an insightful preview of the 2022 legislative session.
Following that, hundreds of members and dozens of lawmakers had the opportunity to network and talk about the issues affecting industry.
ABI appreciates the members and policymakers who took time to attend the event and made it a success! A special thank you to the sponsors for their support of the event: Alliant Energy, Google, Arconic and Central Iowa Power Cooperative.
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JD Davis Speaks at Business Record’s 2022 Legislative Forecast Event |
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ABI Vice President of Public Policy JD Davis was a panelist for a Business Record Legislative Preview that took place on Tuesday. JD was joined by others as they discussed key business questions around tax, childcare, workforce, broadband, housing and other issues.The Legislature has made addressing workforce and tax issues top priorities this year and that wouldn’t be the case without the business community contacting their legislators about why those issues need to be acted upon. |
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Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Air Quality Electronic Submittal Rule |
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Air Quality Bureau is requesting comment from stakeholders concerning electronic submittals. This proposed rulemaking will require electronic submission of all air emissions reporting, air permit applications, and other related air quality documents, starting January 1, 2023. Under the proposed rule changes, minor sources of air emissions will be required to file emissions data using the State and Local Emission Inventory System (SLEIS). Additionally, under the proposed rule updates, both major and minor sources will be required to use the Iowa Environmental Applications System for Air (Iowa EASY Air) for all air construction and Title V operating permit applications. You can review the proposed rulemaking and learn how to provide written comments or participate in the public hearing on Monday, February 14 at 1:00 pm by clicking here.
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Iowa Businesses Against Human Trafficking (IBAT) |
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Photo Source: Twitter @IowaSOS |
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Secretary of State (SOS) Paul Pate announced on Thursday a new coalition that is aimed at getting business and industry more involved with the goal of eradicating human trafficking in Iowa. ABI President Mike Ralston and Director of Public Policy Brad Hartkopf attended an event at the Capitol yesterday where the Iowa Business Against Coalition (IBAT) was announced by the SOS. Any individual business or business association is welcome to join IBAT with the requirements being they learn something, do something and make a difference when it comes to opposing human trafficking. ABI and multiple ABI members have already joined the coalition and your business can do so today as well. You can learn more and apply by going to IBAT's website. |
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Federal Spotlight: U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate for Private Employers |
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The U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s vaccine mandate for private workplaces with 100 employees or more and weekly testing of the workers who do not comply. Covered employers would have been required to “develop, implement, and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.” OSHA had published its Emergency Temporary Standard on Nov. 5, 2021, but states, businesses and nonprofit organizations challenged OSHA’s rule. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the vaccination and testing requirements. After the various cases became consolidated before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, that court lifted the stay nationwide. The challengers sought emergency relief from the U.S. Supreme Court and oral arguments took place last week.
In its decision, the Court described the OSHA rule as a “significant encroachment into the lives – and health – of a vast number of employees.” The Court held the OSHA Act, which allows for Emergency Temporary Standards, only authorizes the Secretary of Labor to set workplace safety standards and not “broad public health measures.”
The opinion states: “Although COVID-19 is a risk that occurs in many workplaces, it is not an occupational hazard in most. COVID–19 can and does spread at home, in schools, during sporting events, and everywhere else that people gather. That kind of universal risk is no different from the day-to-day dangers that all face from crime, air pollution, or any number of communicable diseases. Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life—simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock—would significantly expand OSHA’s regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released a statement following the ruling, stating, “The SCOTUS ruling on the OSHA vaccine mandate is a major victory for Iowans, their personal freedoms and liberties. The Biden Administration should hear this message loud and clear: The American citizens do not believe in government overreach, and they don’t believe in the federal government making health care decisions for them.”
In a separate opinion, the Court allowed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccine mandate to go into effect for staff in nursing homes and federally-funded healthcare facilities, unless they are exempt for medical or religious reasons.
“At the same time, I’m very disappointed by the Supreme Court’s ruling on the CMS vaccine mandate. Medical providers that have been on the frontlines of this pandemic saving lives deserve the freedom and ability to make their own informed health care decisions,” Reynolds said about the CMS mandate decision.
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Watch: Weekly Business Report |
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ABI President Mike Ralston wraps up the highlights from the 2022 Legislative Briefing and Reception and previews upcoming events for ABI Members. |
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FROM THE DESK OF LUKE T. MOHRHAUSER |
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Mohrhauser is a Patent Attorney and Chair of the Mechanical and Electrical Practice Groups at
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Innovation in a Time of Need – An Employment Perspective |
We have all heard the sayings, “Necessity Breeds Innovation” or “Crisis Breeds Innovation”. In recent times, there is plenty of necessity and crisis. Take, for instance, the issues facing many companies, including those in the manufacturing industry. At a recent conference, in conversations with clients, and in numerous articles, the same sentiment is provided – the supply chain and lack of suitable workers are affecting companies’ ability to meet customer demands. This definitely meets the criteria for innovation as there is a necessity to be able to produce on top of the crisis of supply chain and staffing issues. |
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When thinking of traditional innovation in companies, e.g., manufacturing companies, you may think to engineers and managers and even IT professionals. I would call this the top-down approach where people are hired and put in position to solve problems. I would also call this old and outdated.
To be able to continue to produce, compete, and lead, especially in times of crisis, companies need to look to an all-inclusive approach to innovation where the innovation is identified and utilized regardless of its genesis. This could be from the engineers, IT professionals, managers, but it could also stem from non-traditional innovators, such as line workers, facility managers, HR professionals, accounting, or basically anyone in the company.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news. |
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Photo Source: DMACC Facebook
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Photo Source: JBS USA Hometown Strong Website
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Free STEP Forward Event - February 10 |
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February 10th, join The Manufacturing Institute in Davenport to hear from a series of industry leaders on how we can better recruit and retain women in the Quad Cities manufacturing industry.
Panelists include:
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Cynthia Krist, Arconic Corporation
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Tracy Schrauben, John Deere
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Carol Reynolds, Kent Corporation
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Divya Behl, Woodward Inc.
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Moderator: AJ Jorgenson, Vice President, Strategic Engagement and Inclusion, The Manufacturing Institute
Click here to learn more and RSVP for this free event.
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TOP SUPPORTERS - GOVERNOR |
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