Governor Continues to Reopen State’s Economy
During her press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced she was allowing more businesses to open as the state continues to battle the coronavirus. Effective tomorrow, movie theaters, zoos, museums, aquariums and wedding reception venues will be allowed to reopen subject to following public health measures. On May 28, bars and other establishments will be allowed to reopen following the same guidelines that restaurants are following. Other states have been reopening in recent weeks, as policymakers are looking to get people back to work and businesses up and running. You can read the governor’s
full proclamation
.
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline is Tomorrow for June Primary
We’re just a week and a half away from the primary, which will be held on Tuesday, June 2. The outcome of this election will determine who the Republican and Democratic nominees are for the November 3 general election. This primary election will be unlike any other due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Secretary of State Paul Pate had mailed absentee ballot requests to all registered voters to encourage absentee voting. The deadline to submit an absentee ballot request is tomorrow at 5 p.m. The request must have been received by your local county auditor’s office at that time. You can find more information
here
.
Federal Spotlight: Those Who Reject Offer to Return to Work Ineligible for Federal Unemployment Benefits Per Mnuchin
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday stated employees who reject an offer to return to work after being furloughed or laid off due to COVID-19 will no longer be eligible for federal unemployment benefits. Mnuchin said companies that are enrolled in the Paycheck Protection Program and giving their employees offers to return to work should notify their state unemployment offices. Under the CARES Act, those who are laid off due to the coronavirus are eligible to receive $600/week in federal unemployment benefits through July 31. Some individuals are earning more on unemployment than they would be working due to these benefits being added on top of regular state unemployment benefits. Some policymakers are concerned this will deter people from returning to work. You can read more from
Fox News
.
Federal Spotlight: Sen. Ernst Leads Bipartisan Letter for Childcare Support in Next COVID-19 Relief Legislation
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst recently spearheaded a bipartisan letter addressed to the U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) encouraging them to include more financial support and stimulus for childcare providers and workers in the next round of coronavirus relief.
The letter
was signed by 23 senators including 11 Republicans and 12 Democrats. While the CARES Act allowed child care providers to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program by continuing to pay their workers, there is still much to be done on the issue. Sen. Ernst secured nearly $32 million for Iowa’s child care providers through the CARES Act and continues to play an instrumental role on the subject of child care and a number of other issues important to the business community. Read Sen. Ernst's
news release
.
Current Vacancy on Environmental Protection Commission
It was announced at Tuesday’s Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) meeting that Commissioner Tim Kaldenberg had recently resigned from his post, which leaves a vacancy to be filled. The EPC is made up of nine members of the public who play a powerful and important role in regulating Iowa industry and agriculture. ABI encourages members who are interested in serving on boards and commissions to apply for those positions. This commission is particularly vital, and anyone who is interested in serving can
learn more
or contact
JD Davis
or
Brad Hartkopf
.
