Legislature Votes Down First Set of Maps for Redistricting |
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The Iowa Legislature convened Tuesday for a special legislative session to consider the first round of proposed legislative and Congressional maps constructed by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA). Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, who floor managed the bill, cited issues with compactness and population deviation as reasons why the first round of maps should be voted down. The Iowa Senate then voted along party lines and the maps were defeated. It was not necessary for the Iowa House to take any action on the maps since they were not approved by the Senate. The Senate adjourned sine die at 1:26 pm while the House did the same at 1:57 pm.
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JD Davis and Brad Hartkopf from ABI's public policy team provide the latest redistricting updates.
Members with questions can email:
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This is critical as the Legislature is on a truncated deadline to approve a set of maps for House, Senate and Congressional Districts that will be used for the next 10 years. The Iowa Supreme Court set a deadline for maps to be approved by December 1. LSA has up to 35 days to create new maps for the Legislature to consider. However, LSA announced on Wednesday that the second set of maps will be delivered to the Legislature by October 21. The earliest the Legislature could vote on this second round of maps would then be October 28.
If the Legislature declines to approve the second round of maps, LSA will have the same timeframe to create a third round of maps, which can be amended by the Legislature within the parameters of the Iowa Constitution and Code. Under the current system, which has been in place since 1981, the Legislature has never approved a set of maps that have been amended.
If LSA uses all of its allotted time for maps, the Legislature will be unable to consider a third map within the set time frame. Governor Kim Reynolds will call another special session to address the issue in the near future. ABI will be following the issue closely and updating members accordingly.
Read More:
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ARRC Issues ABI-Backed Session Delay
on Consumable Foods Rule
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On Monday, the full membership of the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) voted to delay the implementation of ARC5906C. This is a rule developed by the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) related to a sales tax exemption provided to manufacturers of consumable foods for human consumption.
ABI staff has testified before the IDR twice and also testified before the ARRC three times objecting to the rule. The exemption for food producers was first added to the Iowa Code in 1985 and since that time, rules interpreting the law had not been filed. As a result, an understanding of the law developed over time through a series of tax filings, audits, appeals and settlements.
IDR, motivated by a desire to reduce this administrative burden, issued rules this past Spring that the department believes brings clarity to the tax exemption. Taxpayers saw it differently, holding that the rules would expose them to greater tax liability.
Meetings through the ensuing months between affected taxpayers, ABI, the Iowa Taxpayers Association and the IDR have developed proposed legislation to be introduced and passed by the Iowa Legislature during the 2022 session that reflects the taxpayer’s perspective. ABI’s food processing members provided issue-area expertise on this matter. Without an objection from the IDR, the ARRC delayed the rule implementation until after the Legislature was given an opportunity to pass the consensus legislation. Look for further updates on this issue as the 2022 legislative session begins in January.
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Iowa’s Economy Continues to Recover
and Grow in the Second Quarter
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According to a report recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, an agency with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Iowa’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.7% in the second quarter. Iowa led the way for states contiguous to us and had the eighth-best GDP growth in the entire country. This follows recent news that Iowa ended Fiscal Year 2021 with a $1.24 billion surplus. Iowa continues to have a relatively low unemployment rate as tens of thousands of jobs are currently available across the state. A number of factors can be attributed to this growth, but a major factor is Iowa's pro-business environment, promoted by our governor and Legislature. You can read the details of leading indicators in a report released by the Iowa Department of Revenue last Friday.
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Revenue Department Unveils Corporate Tax Guidance |
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On Monday, the Iowa Department of Revenue issued updated guidance on Iowa’s corporate income tax structure. In 2018, the Legislature approved SF 2417 which was a wide ranging tax reform package signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. That bill is now law and a number of changes for Iowa’s corporate income tax are set to take effect in 2021, including lower rates and the elimination of federal deductibility and the Alternative Minimum Tax for corporate filers. After the passage and signing of SF 619 this past legislative session, bonus depreciation will be allowed for Iowa purposes for property placed in service in tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Learn more about each of these changes here.
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Revenue Department to Host Webinar on
2021 Tax Law Changes
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Next Wednesday, the Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR) will hold a webinar to provide a comprehensive update on 2021 legislative changes that will affect Iowa taxpayers. The presentation will be led by IDR legislative liaison Clara Wulfsen. There is no cost to register for this event, which will take place on the 13th at noon. Sign up here.
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Workforce Training Programs |
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Workforce is one of ABI's 2022 legislative priorities. ABI would like to hear from members who use state workforce training programs. Please email JD Davis, ABI Vice President of Public Policy, if you use state workforce programs to train your team or partner with other workforce programs.
JD will follow up with additional information for your feedback. He can be reached at jddavis@iowaabi.org.
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Lawmakers Shift Focus to Raising the Federal Debt Limit |
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As last week ended, so too did consideration of two massive pieces of legislation by Congress with neither bill passing. Together, the initiatives represented around $5 trillion in new spending for roads, bridges, ports and broadband, while creating or expanding programs for childcare, eldercare, free community college, housing subsidies and more. The cost of the total package was to be offset in part by large tax increases on corporations and wealthy individuals. Negotiations continue and the overall price tag. ABI has and will continue to communicate with members of the Iowa delegation about the shortcomings of the overall effort.
Meanwhile, Congress has moved on to the next crisis. Without congressional action, the federal debt limit is expected to be met on October 18. Though it seemed like a deal may not be reached by the 18th, news broke Thursday that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reached an agreement to raise the debt ceiling until December 3. The deal would increase the debt ceiling by $480 billion. Prior to this announcement, Republicans had declined to help majority Democrats pass the measure and thus provide them political cover as they seek to initiate the large spending programs that remain temporarily stalled. Democrats, on the other hand, don’t want to pass the new debt limit alone since it is seen as a bad political move heading into the 2022 elections.
While deadlines have passed, some form of increase will ultimately be enacted. A similar scenario will arise when we get to December as this issue will have to be addressed once again. Read more from The Hill.
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Call for 2022 Conference Workshop Proposals |
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Proposals are now being accepted to present workshops at the 2022 Taking Care of Business Conference. ABI seeks speakers who can deliver dynamic, engaging sessions with a strong emphasis on takeaways.
The hour-long workshops will be held Wednesday, June 15th. Attendees pre-register for workshops, and attendance typically ranges from 20-85 participants per workshop.
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Leadership Iowa 40th Anniversary Year Begins with the 2021-22 Class’ Opening Session in Okoboji
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The forty leaders selected from across the state for the 40th Anniversary class of Leadership Iowa began their year-long journey with opening session this week on Oct. 6-8 in Okoboji.
With the focus of group dynamics, each of the following sessions will feature opportunities and challenges related to topics about industries and community needs. Thank you to our session sponsors: Leadership Iowa Board of Governors 2021-22, Northwest Bank, Hy-Capacity, Iowa Lakes Community College, Tecton Industries, Vander Haag’s, Inc., Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation and Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative.
Next month will take place in Mount Pleasant and focus on Agriculture and Renewable Resources.
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From the Desk of Nicole Crain
Four Tips to Maximize Your Membership
ABI staff work hard to provide excellent customer service and a return on your membership investment each year. There are several ways to provide value, and as we head into the final quarter of the year, I wanted to provide a quick few tips on how to maximize your investment in ABI:
1) BE RECOGNIZED IN THE BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE: UPCOMING DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15. Share your company information in the annual Business Resource Guide. This membership directory has excellent information about ABI, but also provides contact information for member companies throughout the state and helps you make connections. We are currently in the process of updating the guide for 2022. Email your company information and any contact changes to Dorothy Knowles. You may also call 1-800-383-4224 for assistance with your listing.
2) ATTEND EVENTS. The easiest way to collaborate with other members is to attend events. We just had an excellent celebration of the manufacturing industry last week and we have connecting statewide leader’s events and an annual legislative reception planned. Check out our events page. You can see the attendees and register to attend.
3) BUY ABI. Take advantage of the BuyABI program. These companies offer exclusive discounts to ABI members on key products from insurance to office supplies and human resource expertise. The members also provide a return on your investment back to ABI.
4) PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY. Send us your news! We want to share with our social media channels the good news of your companies with other Iowans. We also want to provide you with the opportunity to write a column like this one and share your expertise with others. Email communications@iowaabi.org with information about your company.
ABI wants to be a resource for you, whether that resource is our 24/7 public policy advocacy program or sharing and connecting members together. Please reach out to me at ncrain@iowaabi.org if we can help you get more engaged in ABI. Also, we would love to tell the ABI story to more Iowa companies. If you have a company that you think should be a member of ABI, let us know! Thank you for your investment and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming ABI event.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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IEDA Requests Input from HR Professionals
for Talent Attraction Efforts
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The Iowa Economic Development Authority continues to assess how the State of Iowa and its partners can help Iowa businesses meet their current workforce demands. To assist in these efforts, the University of Northern Iowa – Institute for Decision Making/Strategic Marketing Services developed a survey that is designed to be completed by HR personnel or professionals involved in fulfilling HR duties/responsibilities.
IEDA and its statewide partners will use the information collected from this survey to inform its public policy and efforts centered on talent attraction.
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UNI Family Business Conference
Announces Keynote Speakers
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Craig Culver, of the restaurant franchise that bears his last name, will headline the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Conference, sponsored by BrownWinick Law Firm, on Nov. 11. Hosted at Economy Forms Corporation (EFCO) in Des Moines, this one-day event will tackle the inner workings of family businesses with multiple breakout sessions and keynote addresses from industry experts. UNI Family Business Program members receive two complimentary tickets with a fee of $75 per each additional attendee. Non-member tickets are $175 per attendee.
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