I stopped at the State Capitol last week to see how our battle was going.  As you know from reading the papers and the newsletters, it's been another tough year for business.   As a key friend of ABI, I thought I would give you an update on our plans after the 2010 legislative session adjourns.

Our lobbyists, John Gilliland and Nicole Molt, have been doing a great job telling legislators not to increase mandates on employers, raise taxes or add new costs and regulations.  Legislators I met with today seemed to understand, but some just nodded their head.  They always tell us they want job growth, but then they go ahead and vote for bills that add more burdens to job creators.

It's extremely frustrating for John and Nicole to attend committee meetings in the middle of the night and watch amendment after amendment fail because the proponents of the added regulations don't want to be reasonable or simply don't understand how the private sector operates. 

Please don't feel sorry for them.   They are committed to representing our interests at the capitol.  They know this is the environment we're operating in and these are the obstacles we must overcome.

We also know that in your business, when opportunities for better tools, machines or systems come along, you seize those opportunities if it will improve your operation.

The opportunity ABI is hoping for - better legislators.  Legislators who have worked in the private sector and understand what a difference vibrant growing businesses make in this state.

We plan to spend the next 7 months working on building a better legislature by finding candidates who can help move Iowa forward, not drag us down.

We plan to meet directly with candidates across the state -from Council Bluffs to Dubuque-and identify the ones that understand business issues and then work to get them elected.

We can help them with advertising and turning out pro-business voters, but we need your help.  We're promising to put in the time.  We're asking you to put in the resources.

ABI represents 1,400 businesses.   Think if the key owners and employees of each one of those members gave $250 or even $100.  Can you image what an impact we'd have if each person invested $1,000?

Please make a personal investment in IIPAC today, CLICK HERE.  We'll begin our calling soon after the legislature adjourns.  I'd rather our lobbyists spend that time getting to know the candidates on the ballot.

Please call me at (515) 987-1931 if you have any questions.  Remember, we're committing the time; we just need you to commit the resources to change the Iowa Legislature. 

Sincerely,

Kirk J. Tyler

Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling

Chair, Iowa Industry PAC

P.S. IIPAC Investors are recognized at all major ABI events including the annual ABI Convention June 8-10, 2010.

Remember: All contributions to IIPAC must be personal funds under Iowa law.  No corporate contributions are permitted.  You can make a secure on-line contribution, CLICK HERE.