NEXT WEEK: Economic Growth and
Tax Committees to Meet
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Two more public policy committees are set to convene early next week as members continue to craft policy recommendations for 2022. The Economic Growth Committee will meet on Monday, the 23rd. Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will be our guest speaker. On Tuesday the 24th, the Tax Committee will meet and also hear from Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen. The Environment, Employment & Workforce and Workplace & Product Safety committees met and devised their policy recommendations earlier this month. This is an excellent opportunity for your company’s voice to be heard on policy matters. Be sure to register today. There is also a virtual Zoom option available for those who cannot travel due to company policy on COVID-19. Please contact Brad Hartkopf for more information.
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Vague Timeline for Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Emerges |
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This week, the Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission met for its first meeting. This meeting provided clearer details about how the long-delayed redistricting process will unfold. With legally required public hearings, written reports and other statutory requirements, it is now certain that the Iowa Legislature will miss a constitutionally required September 1, 2021 deadline to approve legislative and congressional districts for the 2022-2030 elections.
Accordingly, the Iowa Supreme Court has a duty under the Iowa Constitution to see that maps are created. While the Court is not in the business of telegraphing how it may rule in a future legal matter, it is thought that the Court will be accommodating and will likely allow the legislature to go into overtime to conclude their traditional process. Look for an October special session of the legislature to accomplish that.
Why It Matters to Members of ABI
Redistricting is a disruptive process. Since the modern Iowa approach to redistricting was adopted, the new legislative maps have caused sitting legislators to choose retirement over standing for re-election in new districts. At the congressional level, when new lines are drawn, entire counties can be moved from one district to another. At times, members of the Iowa Legislature or Congress move from one district to another to face voters most familiar with them. As district boundaries move, sitting legislators will also be thrown into districts with another incumbent legislator, which guarantees that an experienced legislator will not return after the election. As ABI seeks to advance public policy priorities in 2022, all of these factors will be an added subtext to decision making.
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Stage is Set for Special Election in HD 37
Bousselot Becomes GOP Nominee
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On Saturday, Michael Bousselot, the current Director of the Department of Management, won a special nominating convention to serve as the Republican nominee for the upcoming special election in House District 37. This week, the Governor’s office announced Bousselot will be resigning from this position with the Department of Management and there will be a new acting director filling the role.
The seat in House District 37 is vacant due to the passing of the late State Rep. John Landon. Bousselot is a former Chief of Staff to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and former Governor Terry Branstad. He holds degrees in accounting from the University of Iowa and a law degree from Drake University. He’ll face Andrea Phillips, a former vice chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. The election will be held on September 14. Read more from KJAN.
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DeJear to Run for Governor |
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Deidre DeJear, a small business owner, announced Saturday that she is seeking the Democratic nomination in the race for governor. Dejear, who kicked off her campaign in West Des Moines, was the Democratic nominee for Secretary of State in 2018 where she lost to Republican incumbent Paul Pate. Before that, DeJear led then-candidate Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign effort in Iowa. She is the second major Democrat to announce a run for governor. Three-term State Rep. Ras Smith of Waterloo launched his campaign in June. State Auditor Rob Sand and two-term Congresswoman Cindy Axne are also weighing their 2022 options. Read more from The Des Moines Register.
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Learn More About DNR’s Sustainable Materials Management Initiative |
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ABI members are welcome to register for a meeting where the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will elaborate on its efforts related to sustainable materials management (SMM). ABI staff has arranged this meeting which will take place on September 15 at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The DNR has contracted with SCS Engineers to move forward on a stakeholder driven initiative that is rethinking Iowa’s integrated solid waste management system. You can view more background information on SMM here. If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact Michelle Vollstedt.
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U.S. Dept. of Labor to Modernize Unemployment Insurance |
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As part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor plans to use $2 billion to modernize the unemployment insurance (UI) system and ensure its integrity.
“The pandemic underscored the need for modernization of the 53 different systems that administer unemployment insurance benefits in the United States, and it exposed significant vulnerabilities in state technology to criminals looking for an opportunity,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh in a press release. “The Biden-Harris administration and Congress provided the means to reform this critical safety net for future crises, and our department is committed to executing that mission in a way that leaves no community behind.”
According to the DOL, the department plans to use $140 million for ARPA Fraud Grants, which will go to states for fraud prevention measures, such as identification verification subscription costs. The DOL’s Employment and Training Administration will oversee these grants. The DOL will use $260 million in Equity Grants dedicated to improving claimant outreach and customer service to help improve access to UI benefits. The DOL also plans to modernize technology that can be integrated with state systems, while allowing states to implement and use elements for their specific needs.
Learn more about the DOL’s additional strategies through its fact sheet.
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ABI President Mike Ralston discusses the final two public policy committee meetings and upcoming events for members. ABI would also like to get your feedback on the content members receive. |
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We Want to Hear From You! |
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Do you read the monthly Business Record Iowa?
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Build Iowa's Future Design Challenge |
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The Iowa Department of Education announced the Build Iowa’s Future Design Challenge, an opportunity for K-12 students to create innovative projects, connect them to careers and compete for up to $1,000 awards for their schools. Several ABI members are involved in the project which is keeping with the Future Ready Iowa goal of 70% of the workforce having education or training beyond high school by 2025. CLICK HERE to learn more.
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10 Effective Local Advertising Ideas For Small Businesses |
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By Stephanie Heitman, LocalIQ
As a small business owner, your goal for advertising and marketing is probably to get more customers – or at least to get in front of them so when it comes time to buy or make an appointment, your business is on their radar. But, where to start?
CLICK HERE to read the 10 local advertising ideas that can help your small business get noticed, get customers, and get growing.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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Salary.com Launches
Compensation-Related Podcast
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BuyABI partner salary.com recently launched their Get Pay Right podcast which discusses all things compensation. The first episode shares insights from their latest research including how to define a strategy for remote pay, and ways to address the impact on compensation, pay equity, and culture.
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Storey Kenworthy Foundation Accepting
Grant Applications Until Aug. 31
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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.
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