Legislature Heads into Overtime as 100th Day Passes |
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The second session of the 89th Iowa General Assembly will continue into next week and likely beyond, as policymakers are still working to reach agreements on a variety of significant policy proposals and the budget. Per diem expenses expired this week for lawmakers, as Tuesday marked the 100th day of the session. The Iowa Senate debated on Monday and Tuesday, while the Iowa House did not have any floor debates this week.
The House, Senate and Gov. Kim Reynolds are working to agree on key issues including educational savings accounts & educational transparency, unemployment insurance reform, renewable fuels legislation and the Governor’s second workforce bill. Other key issues that could also be considered are tax reform 2.0, eminent domain, tort reform and medical freedom. The status of ABI’s priorities did not change this week. Click here to learn more about ABI’s priorities. You can read more below.
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Federal Spotlight: Finkenauer to Appear on June Primary Ballot after Iowa Supreme Court Ruling |
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The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last Friday that former Congresswoman and former State House Rep. Abby Finkenauer can remain on the June Democratic primary ballot as a candidate for U.S. Senate.
A Polk County district court judge had ruled she was ineligible to be on the primary ballot after two plaintiffs argued three signatures were invalid because they did not include a date. This district court challenge came after the State Objections Panel, comprised of Iowa Sec. of State Paul Pate, Attorney General Tom Miller, and State Auditor Rob Sand, ruled 2-1 that the signatures were valid.
In its decision, the Iowa Supreme Court stated, “The date of signing might assist in verifying the petition if the signer was only an eligible elector for part of the time period during which the petition was being circulated, but it is hard to see why it would matter in any other context.”
Read the Iowa Supreme Court’s full opinion here.
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Federal Spotlight: Biden Administration Announces Reinstatement of Stricter Environmental Rules for Permitting of Projects |
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A final rule issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality targets three areas of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and aims to restore certain provisions that were changed in 2020 under former President Donald Trump. The Trump Administration had said the goal with those changes was to “modernize its regulations to streamline the development of infrastructure projects.”
According to the Council on Environmental Quality, the final rule: “(1) restores the requirement that federal agencies evaluate all the relevant environmental impacts of the decision they are making; (2) restores the full authority of agencies to work with communities to develop and analyze alternative approaches that could minimize environmental and public health costs; and (3) establishes the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations as a floor, rather than a ceiling, for the environmental review standards that federal agencies should be meeting.”
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons said in a statement, in part, that this announcement “misses the larger point that we need to be pursuing a clear strategy to harness every possible source of energy here in the United States.” The NAM is a federal partner of ABI.
“Even though the administration kept many of the reforms the NAM had fought for, this does not provide the predictability and streamlined permitting we need,” Timmons added. “And if the next step in this process is derailed by unrealistic agendas, then America will feel the pain of a weaker economy, diminished national security and slower implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
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Sustainable Materials Management Meeting to be Held Next Month |
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The next stakeholder meeting for the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) Initiative will take place in person on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in West Des Moines. Virtual participation is an option as well. In March 2021, the DNR launched the process for developing short, medium and long-term strategies to transition Iowa to a state that uses and reuses materials more productively over their entire life cycles. Subcommittees were formed to identify SMM strategies. ABI staff has participated in some of these subcommittee meetings over the last several months. During the May 23 meeting, the subcommittees will present their recommendations to the broader group. You can learn more about SMM here. If you would like to participate in this meeting, please contact Brad Hartkopf.
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Iowa Unemployment Rate Continues Decline |
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Iowa Workforce Development announced last week that the state’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.3% for the month of March, which is .2% lower than February and 1.1% lower than one year ago. The labor force participation rate also improved by moving from 67.0% in February to 67.2% in March. The total number of working Iowans also grew by 10,000 between February and March to a total of 1,637,100. You can read more from IWD's release.
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Last Chance - Register Today! |
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#ABICON22 Trivia: Win a Free Conference Registration |
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In order to highlight some of the great agenda items in store for this year’s conference and to reminisce on past conferences, ABI is having a social media trivia contest through the month of April. Each week, a trivia question will be posted on our social pages. At the end of the month, one lucky participant will receive a free registration to the 2022 conference. |
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Watch: Weekly Business Report with Jessi McQuerrey |
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ABI Foundation's Director of Programs, Jessi McQuerrey, highlights why you should promote participation in Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa University programs. |
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Business Horizons: First Discount Deadline Approaching |
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The first discount deadline for Business Horizons, a program of the ABI Foundation is coming up! |
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Students receive $60 off when applying for the program through May 20.
Share the opportunity with an Iowa high school student in your life! Need-based financial assistance is also available through the application.
We're excited for the best week of summer, July 17-21 at Central College in Pella!
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From the Desk of Becky Coady, Vice President - ABI Foundation |
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Get Involved with Leadership Iowa University by Becoming a Program Sponsor
The Leadership Iowa University program would not be possible without the help and support of individuals and organizations across the state.
There are multiple ways to make a difference and get involved through Leadership Iowa University, but one of the most important is becoming a program sponsor.
Leadership Iowa University is annually supported by companies, colleges/universities and individuals who help drive the mission of keeping our talented young people in our state.
Sponsors are offered a range of options and benefits to support the program and its participants. Most importantly, funds raised allow the student's participation fee to remain significantly lower than the actual cost of the program. You can contact me to find out more about sponsoring or partnering with Leadership Iowa University.
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Volunteer opportunities also exist with LIU, as well as ABI Foundation's high school and adult leadership programs. To learn more about how you and your organization can get involved with these programs, please visit Business Horizons and Leadership Iowa.
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Senator Chuck Grassley Visits Precision Metal Works |
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Last week, Senator Grassley visited ABI member Precision Metal Works (PMW) in Maquoketa. About 40 community members, leaders and officials and regular citizens attended. |
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Photo Credit: Wes Merryman |
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Photo Credit: Jack and Sarah Hasken |
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Click on the headlines to learn about the latest ABI member news. |
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