2022 Policy Meetings Start Off Strong |
|
It was a very busy week at ABI as the Environment, Employment and Workforce, and Workplace and Product Safety Committees all met and devised their policy recommendations for 2022. |
|
|
|
WATCH: ABI Weekly Business Report
|
|
ABI’s public policy process is grassroots driven and gives members the opportunity to state what they would like to see the association advocate for. Members also heard from outstanding guest speakers including DNR Director Kayla Lyon, State Sen. Adrian Dickey and Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Joe Cortese.
Director Lyon spoke about efficiencies the DNR is making on a variety of issues including permitting. Sen. Dickey spoke about his experiences as a private sector employer and the workforce challenges his business is facing. He also commented on the need to take a holistic approach when it comes to looking at reforming Iowa’s unemployment insurance system. Commissioner Cortese highlighted current trends in workers’ compensation across the country and his agency’s recent successes including clearing out the backlog of appeals that were previously before the Commissioner.
|
|
NCCI Proposes Significant Decrease in
Work Comp Rates for 2022
|
|
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) is proposing an overall average decrease of -5.5% to the voluntary rate level and an overall average decrease of -9.1% to assigned risk rate level for workers’ compensation in Iowa. The filing, which was submitted on August 4th, would become effective on January 1, 2022, but must first be approved by Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. Workers’ compensation rates have drastically declined in Iowa since the 2017 passage and enactment of HF 518. This is legislation that ABI spearheaded, which brought balance back into Iowa’s workers’ compensation system.
|
|
Phillips Becomes Democratic Nominee for
House District 37 Seat
|
|
Andrea Phillips, a former vice chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, recently won a special district convention to be the Democratic nominee for the upcoming special election in Iowa House District 37. The district encompasses most of Ankeny and rural parts of northern Polk County. The seat is vacant due to the passing of former State Rep. John Landon. Phillips challenged Landon in 2020, but was defeated last fall. The special election will be held on September 14. Republicans have yet to select a nominee. Though the outcome of this special election will not change control of the House in 2022, you can expect both parties to invest significant resources in what is likely to be a very competitive race.
|
|
|
Opportunity to Participate in Sustainable Materials Management Stakeholder Meeting |
|
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been working on an initiative known as sustainable materials management (SMM). This initiative aims to transition Iowa away from our existing solid waste management system to an approach that uses and reuses materials more productively over their entire life cycles. ABI members are invited to participate in an upcoming stakeholder meeting to provide your input on this initiative. The initiative began a few years ago. ABI staff has been following it and taking part in stakeholder meetings since the beginning.
The second of four stakeholder meetings will take place virtually on Thursday, September 30th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. You can learn more about the initiative here. If you would like to participate in the meeting or have any questions about SMM, please contact Nicole Crain or Brad Hartkopf.
|
|
Opportunity to Participate in
IDR GovConnectIowa Demonstration
|
|
The Iowa Department of Revenue is currently in the process of modernizing its tax administration system and is giving ABI members an opportunity to preview the new online services. Starting November, GovConnectIowa will provide user-friendly and self-service tools to register for new business licenses and permits, file returns and report, make payments, and communicate with the Department. Online demonstrations will be held on Thursday, August 19th from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, August 24th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. If you would like to participate, please contact Brad Hartkopf.
|
|
Senate Passes Infrastructure Legislation;
Heads to the House
|
|
The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill on a 69-30 vote this week. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now heads to the U.S. House. The legislation, which includes $550 billion in new funding, focuses on investment in roads, bridges, public transit and railways, as well as broadband.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley joined 18 other Republicans who supported the bill, while Sen. Joni Ernst opposed the measure. In a statement, Sen. Grassley said Iowans have raised infrastructure concerns at the county meetings he’s held this year.
“Iowans rely on sound infrastructure to move our ag products and manufactured goods, as well as to connect with family, business partners and critical service providers,” Sen. Grassley said in his statement. “But like much of the country, Iowa’s aging infrastructure risks slowing economic growth and eroding daily comfort and convenience. This bipartisan bill fixes potholes, rebuilds bridges, upgrades water systems and brings broadband to rural corners of our state. Investing in Iowa’s infrastructure will pay dividends for decades to come.”
According to the Des Moines Register, Sen. Ernst did not support the legislation because the package is estimated to add $255 billion to the national deficit.
Following the Senate’s vote, President Joe Biden released remarks thanking leaders from both parties for supporting the legislation and said “this bill is going to help make a historic recovery a long-term boom.”
|
|
College Students Attending Leadership Iowa University 2021 Gain Insight Into Iowa Business |
|
This week, the ABI Foundation hosted the annual Leadership Iowa University program for college students to gain a greater perspective of the personal and professional opportunities right here in Iowa. These experiences are thanks to great Iowa businesses and leaders who provide tours, speak and network with participants, making their organizations and themselves not only available to the students but show a true and clear interest in their development and success. Thank you to all who attended Wednesday’s Connecting Statewide Leaders event or were otherwise involved in this year’s Leadership Iowa University! (Photos of the week’s program can be found here.)
An additional thank you to the program’s presenting sponsor Grinnell Mutual, leading sponsor Weaton Capital, and connecting sponsors Agri-Industrial Plastics, Alliant Energy, Collins Aerospace, DMACC, EMC Insurance, Farm Bureau Financial Services, HNTB Corporation, Hy-Capacity, Iowa Army National Guard, Iowa Soybean Association, Kreg Tool, Musco Lighting, Pella Corporation and Winnebago Industries, Inc. The ABI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing statewide leadership programs developing emerging Iowa leaders. These programs are made possible thanks to the support of businesses and individuals investing in Iowa’s workforce.
|
|
Why Security Matters to Your Employee Benefit Plans |
|
By Troy Atkinson, CPA and Director of Cybersecurity Services Michael Nouguier
Employee benefit plans are a common perk for many organizations. They are often seen as a necessary employee benefit, but they also come with a strong need for compliance. Specifically, ERISA-covered group health plans and retirement plans can be subject to HIPAA privacy and security laws, assurance and audit requirements and more.
CLICK HERE to learn why cybersecurity should be a focus for your organization's employee benefit plans.
|
|
Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
|
|
Made In Iowa Ad Space Deadline TODAY! |
ABI and the Business Record are partnering to celebrate Iowa’s manufacturing industry this October. The groundbreaking “Made In Iowa” campaign offers a special Business Record issue, Made In Iowa website and a social media campaign devoted to highlighting the industry as a whole!
CLICK HERE for more information and package options.
ACT FAST! AD SPACE DEADLINE IS TODAY!
|
|
Iowa Summit on Disability Employment - Aug. 19 |
The Iowa Summit on Disability Employment is an opportunity to learn how your business can tap into this robust and qualified talent pipeline, build an inclusive workplace culture, and accelerate inclusive leadership to realize organization value. Attend on August 19th online or in-person at the FFA Enrichment Center at the DMACC Campus in Ankeny. CLICK HERE to register.
|
|
Storey Kenworthy Foundation Accepting
Grant Applications Until Aug. 31
|
The Storey Kenworthy Foundation for Giving is accepting grant applications from qualified nonprofit organizations until Aug. 31. Five $5,000 grants will be awarded to selected nonprofits whose programming aligns with Storey Kenworthy’s core giving priorities. Additional information is available at www.storeykenworthy.com/community.
|
|
TOP SUPPORTERS - GOVERNOR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
