Creating a Drug-Free Workplace: Beyond a Drug Testing Program
ABI Office | Des Moines
May Board Meeting (Invite Only)
Emerson/Fisher | Marshalltown
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Waterloo
Tech Works | Waterloo
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Des Moines
ABI Office | Des Moines
Regional Public Policy Meeting: Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance |Cedar Rapids
2016 Taking Care of Business Conference
Sioux City
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To foster a favorable business, economic, governmental and social climate within the State of Iowa so that our citizens have the opportunity to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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Budget debate begins
The Iowa Legislature agreed to budget targets last week and the Iowa House has already started to advance bills. The House Appropriations Committee met Wednesday and passed House File 2455, which contains the budget for the departments of Economic Development, Workforce Development and Cultural Affairs and House File 2454 - the Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship budget.
Iowa House passes water quality bill
This week the House passed
House File 2451
on a 65-33 vote. The bill is intended to address the state's water quality issues. HF 2451 uses a sales tax on metered water currently generating around $24 million annually into the general fund, converts it to an excise tax. The funding would be dedicated to wastewater and drinking water infrastructure grants for disadvantaged communities, a newly established revolving loan fund for municipalities and landowners, and urban water quality. Keep reading...
Senate to consider water quality proposal
A Senate subcommittee attended by more than thirty members of the public met Thursday to consider
Senate File 504, which will increase the state sales tax by ⅜ of a cent and use a portion of the funding for water quality initiatives.
Keep reading...
Iowa Workforce Development bill advances
On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Study Bill 3176 and the bill is now eligible for full senate debate.
After several weeks of discussions with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and key legislators, an agreement was reached that will "make whole" the loss of money from the UC Trust Fund. The agreement restores more than $528,000 of Iowa business contributed funds by use of federal Reed Act stimulus resources that were granted to Iowa. Keep reading...
Career and Technical Education Bill passes Senate
House File 2392 was amended and passed by the Iowa Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 50-0. The legislation was supported by many stakeholders and was the outcome of a 20-month legislatively-directed task force. The changes in the legislation seek to modernize the career and technical education offerings in the state of Iowa. Keep reading...
Register today for May regional meetings
Don't forget to register for the post-session updates. Also, if you know of a friend who should be an ABI member, invite them to join you at the meeting. Remember, there is no cost for members to attend, but your RSVP is appreciated so we can order enough food. Click here to see all of the upcoming public policy events.
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Fill out ABI's annual CEO survey!
Please take a few minutes to fill out the 2016 CEO Survey, which helps us understand the state of ABI member businesses and the issues most important to you. This information will be used in the development of the Business Record Iowa content and programming for ABI. This is also an opportunity to provide your feedback on ABI and provide suggestions. This survey only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Click here to take the survey.
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From the Desk of...Alex Karei, Marketing Director, Webspec Design
Five common web terms to learn today
I've been with Webspec for about a year now, and it's crazy to see how the time has flown. I've learned a lot in my position, grown personally and professionally, and rapidly expanded my opinions on websites, search, and social media.
I've also learned quite a bit about "speaking the language" of web. Every industry has a language to learn, but as I use mine, it's occurred to me that our language is one that is often misunderstood, but increasingly necessary for small business owners to understand.
Why? Because the web isn't an emerging trend - it's here, and many things throughout it are continuing to emerge in new and different ways. As a responsible business owner, you should know what is going on in technology and how those things will affect how you market your business.
Alex Karei and her colleagues at Webspec Design are offering an Educational Escape on the Building Blocks of SEO at the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference. Click here for more information.
Interested in submitting your own From the Desk of column? Contact Emily Schettler at [email protected].
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Did you miss the Monday Memo from ABI President Mike Ralston? For the most recent memo click
here.
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