Governor Signs Tax Bill – ABI Priorities Become Law |
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As has been widely reported, on June 16, 2021, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law SF619, the centerpiece of the 2021 legislative session. The bill brings certainty to income tax cuts passed in 2018 but not yet enacted, eliminates the state inheritance tax over time, aids families with childcare and housing by providing incentives to both through tax credits, couples state tax policy with federal action to provide bonus depreciation of major assets. The bill also provides property tax relief, the elimination of the county mental health levy, and the replacement of those funds with state dollars. Not
all of the changes will take effect immediately.
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House Democrats Elect a New Leader |
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In a private meeting Monday, June 14, 2021, Iowa House Democrats elected State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst as their new minority leader. Konfrst, from Windsor Heights, is an assistant professor in the school of Journalism and Mass Communications at Drake University. Konfrst was first elected in 2018 and replaces Representative Todd Pritchard of Charles City. Pritchard resigned his post seeking to spend more time with his young family, to tend to his law practice and to meet his obligations as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
During Konfrst’s short tenure in the Iowa House, her democratic colleagues have looked to her for leadership. In 2018, as a freshman, she was selected as an assistant leader. Two years later, she held the second-highest position in her caucus serving as the minority whip. While the former minority leader represented one of the most rural democratic districts in the Iowa House, Konfrst holds a seat in the largest metro area in suburban Des Moines. People will watch closely and will be interested to see if this changes the priorities of the House Democrats.
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Democrat State Rep. Ras Smith Announces Bid for Governor |
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State Rep. Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, announced his plans to run for governor in 2022 this week. Smith has served in the Iowa House since 2017, and is currently in his third term.
Smith is a ranking member of the House Education Committee. Smith has a master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Youth and Human Services. According to his legislative biography, he is the owner and principal of Rise Advocacy Services.
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Democrat State Sen. Liz Mathis Considering Running for Congress in Iowa's 1st District |
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State Sen. Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Hiawatha, said this week that she is "seriously considering" running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District and will announce her plans at the end of next month, The Gazette reports. U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is currently serving her first term in Iowa's 1st District, previously held by former State Rep. Abby Finkenauer.
Sen. Mathis is a ranking member of the Senate Human Resources Committee and is also a ranking member of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. She is a former journalist who worked at KWWL and KCRG in eastern Iowa and was first elected to serve in the Iowa Senate in 2011. According to KWWL, she recently retired from Four Oaks, a Cedar Rapids-based family and child advocacy organization with locations across the state.
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Democratic State Sen. Rob Hogg Will Not Seek Re-Election |
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State Sen. Rob Hogg announced this week that he will not seek re-election in 2022. Hogg, who is from Cedar Rapids, was elected to his fourth term in the Iowa Senate in 2018. He previously served in the Iowa House.
Hogg is a lawyer and has a law degree from the University of Minnesota.
The Gazette reports Hogg said he has not finalized his plans for the future. According to The Gazette, Cedar Rapids teacher Breanna Oxley, a Democrat, has announced she is running for Hogg's seat.
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ABI Taking Care of Business Conference begins ABI Public Policy Process
Four Additional Regional Meetings Scheduled
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On Wednesday of last week’s ABI conference, public policy staff conducted the first of five regional meetings for members to hear about the policy achievements of the 2021 Iowa legislative session and begin input on the development of ABI policies to pursue in 2022. Four additional regional meetings are scheduled around the state to make it convenient for your participation.
The meetings provide an opportunity for you to learn about ABI’s efforts at the Capitol this year, ask the policy team any questions you may have and bring forward issues you would like to see addressed in 2022.
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Also now scheduled for August are the subject-matter committees that are responsible for formally developing policy priorities in the areas of economic growth, employment and workforce, environment, tax and workplace and product safety. These meetings will once again be held in person at the ABI offices in Des Moines.
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ABI Public Policy Staff Continues to Communicate the Adverse Impact of Marketable Food Products for Human Consumption Administrative Rule |
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ABI public Policy staff has been engaged on behalf of members in the food processing industry seeking to change the course of Iowa Department of Revenue proposed rule ARC 5614C.
The rule relates to the sales taxation of inputs used to produce marketable foods for human consumption. At issue is the definition of what is marketable food for human consumption. Iowa law exempts such inputs and has done so since 1985, revisiting the law only once in 2005 to broaden the exemption. Keep reading for more information.
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OSHA’s Anticipated COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Issued |
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On January 21, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order directing OSHA to consider developing a COVID-19 ETS to outline safety protocols required for covered industries to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a COVID-19 ETS that is narrowly tailored to only the healthcare industry. The manufacturing industry and general industry will not be covered by this new standard and will not be required to follow any new OSHA regulations.
Though not mandatory, OSHA did provide updated voluntary guidance for non-healthcare industries that includes recommendations for both vaccinated and unvaccinated workers. Recall that the COVID-19 liability shield law that the Iowa legislature passed in 2020 relies on businesses to substantially comply with state or federal guidelines regarding COVID-19. If a non-healthcare business is currently taking such steps, this latest ETS should require no new measures be taken to preserve that liability protection.
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Advanced Manufacturing Conference Workshop Proposals Due June 30 |
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Share your manufacturing expertise at the September 29th 2021 Advanced Manufacturing Conference. ABI is accepting speaker proposals through June 30. Email Holly Mueggenberg
for a proposal form.
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CEO FORUM REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! |
Registration is now open for the ABI CEO Forum in Okoboji on July 29 & 30.
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ABI Weekly Business Report
Jack Hasken of Jackson Manufacturing, Inc. in Dubuque joins ABI President Mike Ralston and ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain. He was elected as the new chair of the ABI Board of Directors.
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Your employees, their families and broader community members can benefit greatly from the ABI Foundation programs that cultivate Iowans as enthusiastic citizens, engaged workers and inspired leaders. Share in your employee and company communication about Business Horizons! With only a few more weeks to sign-up, Iowa high school students can experience how their strengths and skills connect to their future careers as they team up to create a solution to a real-world problem during this year’s program.
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Reimagining the Workplace: Strategies for a Positive Way Forward in the “New Normal” |
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By Kendra Simmons, Attorney - Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
The past year-plus presented employers with countless challenges with the changes that COVID-19 has presented, most recently the vaccine and the CDC’s revised guidance regarding face coverings and fully-vaccinated individuals. While it feels like we’ve reached the light at the end of the tunnel, in some ways the workplace and employment relationship will be changed forever.
What does the future of the workplace look like?
What to do about the vaccine?
CLICK HERE to get more insight into those questions.
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news
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EideBailly Offers Free Webinar Series
The tools and resources offered through this Inspired Perspectives webinar series will help businesses and individuals make informed decisions and remain successful and compliant in a competitive marketplace.
Click a webinar below to register.
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Free Tri-State Career Fair
June 29 - Tyson Events Center, Sioux City
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The Siouxland Initiative, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, Powell Broadcasting and Tyson Events Center have teamed up to make the Tri-State Career Fair and Community Celebration FREE to Siouxland area employers. The career fair will take place Tuesday June 29th from 11am – 6pm at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City.
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