Today
is: April 17, 2009
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Updates
on the Rebuilding Efforts from the 2008
Disasters
Governor
Culver signed disaster recovery legislation
(HF64) that would appropriate $10 million for
an Unmet Needs Disaster Grant program. Grants
of up to $2,500 are available to households. These
vouchers are similar to a purchase order in that
they are exchanged with the vendor for goods
and services. If you are a local retailer your
cooperation in accepting the vouchers is
needed.
Rebuild
Iowa office
has released its first quarterly report that
includes a comprehensive look at the progress it
has made. To access the April report visit
their website at www.rio.iowa.gov. |
Considering
the current economic situation, networking and
doing business in Iowa is more
critical than ever before. At ABI's Annual
Convention business gets
done.
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7:30
- 9:45 a.m. | Mason
City
No
Charge | Breakfast included
by
Jane Applegate
12
- 3 p.m. | Cedar
Rapids
No
Charge | Lunch included
11:00
a.m./ Mediacom
Connections
Chennel
22 (ch. 5 in Mason
City)
April
29, 2009
9
a.m. - Noon (lunch
included)
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One
of the most successful business men in the world,
Microsoft founder Bill Gates was a college
drop-out form what university?
Answer: Harvard |
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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Legislative
News
New
Threat on Work Comp Doctor
Shopping
On
Thursday, House Labor Committee Chair Rick Olson
(D-Des Moines) called a subcommittee meeting on
HF
795,
the bill to deny employers any oversight over
workplace medical care. Olson proposed a new
amendment to the bill that will allow an
employee to simply pass through the employer's
medical provider's office before given free
choice of care. The employer would not even have
the opportunity to accept or deny the claim
before the bills from the employee's chosen
physician start to arrive. This new version is
just as bad as previous versions and ABI is
adamantly opposed. We urge you to contact
your Representative and Senator ONE
MORE TIME as session is expected to adjourn
next week. Call your Representative Monday
at the House Switchboard at (515) 281-3221.
To
See the ABI Work Comp Radio Ad Running Statewide
CLICK
HERE.
Rumblings of
Labor Agenda
Resurface
Several
sources believe labor is once again putting
efforts on leadership to pass collective
bargaining, fair share and doctor choice.
Such an effort is evidenced by the recent
subcommittee on Doctor Shopping and the referral
of collective bargaining bill to Appropriations.
Continue
reading>>>
House
and Senate Adjournment Date is
Unknown
The
Iowa House and Senate continue to work towards
adjournment; however several budget bills still
need to be passed. Little work was
accomplished this week regarding "shut down" and
the Iowa House and Senate will not be working
this weekend. Continue
reaading>>>
In other
legislative
news...
Three Senate
Confirmations
Fail
Gene
Gessow (Director of Human Services), Shearon
Elderkin (Environmental Protection Commission)
and Carrie LeSeur (Power Fund Board) all failed
to be confirmed by the Senate this week.
Both Elderkin and Gessow failed on a party-line
vote. LeSeur was not confirmed by a vote
of 30-20. The Governor must now work to
fill those vacancies with interim appointments.
Bio-diesel
Mandate Legislation Passes Senate Moves to
House
Late
Wednesday evening the Iowa Senate passed a
biodiesel mandate with a bipartisan vote of
31-19. The bill had one main amendment and
now moves to the Iowa House for further
consideration.
Iowa's
Version of Ledbetter Act
Passes
Iowa
passed its own version of the federal
government's Ledbetter Act, which increases
litigation in the workplace,
with
SF
137. The
legislation was amended by the Iowa House to
address concerns relating to frivolous suits;
however, the Senate refused the House
amendment. Continue
reading>>> |
Top
10 Ways to Maximize Your Training Budget:
- Share
training expenses with neighbor companies. I'll
bet the company across the street needs some of
the same training you do. Especially if
they aren't a competitor.
- Combine
training efforts with teams across your
organization. There is probably another team or
individual in the organization that needs the
same thing.
- Train
workers to be facilitators. A "trained" trainer
is much more effective than your resident
"expert". So teach your resident expert how to
train. Continue
reading>>>
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  From
the Desk of...Todd
McDonald
All
things equal, leadership is what will help one
organization excel over others. One of the
great equalizers right now is the economy and
its impact on all organizations. There's
hardly an industry that isn't being impacted one
way or another by today's challenging business
environment. The question is whether we
are stepping up to the challenge of leading in
turbulent times?
Leadership is
difficult when things are going well but is
doubly hard now. When faced with leading
in difficult times it's important to keep things
in perspective and stay away from falling into a
reactive role. Too often we wait for
things to happen and then decide what to
do. This makes us reactionary. We
need leaders willing to take a proactive role in
identifying and overcoming
challenges. Continue
Reading>>>
Did
you miss the Monday memo from ABI President,
Mike Ralston? Click
here for this week's
memo. |
ABI
Foundation: Nominations for Leadership Iowa Due
May 1st
Do
you know of individuals in your organization or
community who are passionate about providing a
better future for Iowa? Nominate emerging and
established leaders now to apply for the
2009-2010 Leadership Iowa
class.
Nominations are due May 1,
2009 and the applications will be open during
the month of June.
Leadership Iowa is a premier
issues-awareness program promoting leadership
within the state. We educate, challenge and
inspire our participants to bring out their
inherent quality to "point the way." The
ultimate goal is to instill passion in our
current and emerging leaders while fostering a
high level of civic
engagement.
Since
its inception in 1982, Leadership Iowa has
graduated hundreds of men and women from both
the private and public sector. This diverse
group of alumni represents every geographical
region of the state and virtually all walks of
life.
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