Today
is: April 23, 2009
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Seneca
Companies Lost It This
Time
Seneca
is one of ABI's newest members. They are doing
some fantastic things with their wellness program.
Click
here to see what they are doing to encourage
employees to get healthy!
An
opportunity for young people to explore local,
regional and national models of youth engagement
in business. A great experience to inspire
young people in central Iowa to enter
regional career
pathways.
May
6, 7:30 a.m. -
12:30 p.m.
Des
Moines Club - Ruan Center
Click
here for more information. |
2009
ABI Convention Golf
Outing
Have
you registered for the 2009 ABI Convention
Best Ball Challenge? ABI Convention Attendees
will have a chance to enjoy a round of
golf at Brooks
National Golf Club on Thursday, June 11th,
2009.
Whether
you pick your foursome or leave it up to us to
pair you with new friends or old acquaintances, it
is sure to be a great afternoon. Remember lodging
facilities are filling up fast. Click below to
make arrangements
now.
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9
a.m. - Noon (lunch included)
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A
new section that highlights and gives kudos to ABI
members and their employees for milestones,
accomplishments, awards, and special
recognition. Please submit "Hats Off" submissions
to Michelle Vollstedt.
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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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Legislative
News
Labor
Agenda Still
Swirling
Rumors
continue that at least one or all of the Unions'
Big 4 Agenda items will be hidden in a last
minute budget bill: HF
795 - employee doctor shopping bill for
workers' compensation; HF 555
- guts Iowa's right to work law by allowing
unions to collect fees from non-members; HF
333 - price fixing for union wages on public
construction projects; as well as some type of
expanded, open scope collective bargaining
proposal for government unions. Continue
reading>>>
Private
Cause of Action for Consumer Fraud
Approved
For
nearly 20 years, Attorney General Tom Miller has
sought changes in enforcement of Iowa's
Consumer Fraud Act, citing too many complaints
with too little staff. Each year, a
bill has been introduced in the Legislature to
provide consumers the right to hire private
counsel and sue for consumer fraud. Continue
reading>>>
Federal
Deductibility
Repeal
Still
no action on HF
807, the controversial tax plan introduced
by majority Democrats that would repeal federal
deductibility for Iowans on their state income
tax returns. Under a revised plan, more
than 25% of Iowans in all income brackets would
see a tax increase. While Governor Culver
has expressed support for the revised plan, the
measure still appears to lack the 51 votes
needed to pass the Iowa House. Continue
reading>>>
Research
Activities Credit Cap Increased in House Ways
and Means
Although
the Senate chose to cap Research and Development
credits at $175 million from a previous
unlimited amount; the House
Ways and Means
Committee on Tuesday decided to increase the cap
from $175 to $185 million. However, the
bill eliminates the ability for businesses to
carry net operating losses back to seek refund
of previous year taxes. Continue
reading>>>
Health Care
Amendment Removes
Voice of
Iowa
Business from
Commission
On
Tuesday evening Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des
Moines) sponsored an amendment to SF
389 removing employers from a health care
commission that is tasked with looking at and
reforming Iowa's health care system. An
amendment sponsored by Senator Steve Kettering
(R-Lake View) to reinstate business to the
commission failed on a 16-32 party line
vote. The legislation now moves back to
the House where its success is
uncertain.
Legislative
Per Diem Expenses
Suspended
In
odd numbered years, the Legislature is scheduled
for a 110 day session, but due to tight budget
issues, the General Assembly decided to forgo
legislators' per diem expenses after the 100th
day (April 21). This amounts to nearly
$19,000 per day in savings.
Adjournment
Date-Still
Unknown
As
stated in earlier newsletters; the legislature
had the goal of adjourning at least ten days
early. At press time, the adjournment date
was still unknown, but some lawmakers are
predicting sometime this weekend. Stay
tuned!
Environment
Committee Meeting
Canceled
The
monthly Environment Committee meeting scheduled
for Friday, April 24th at 10:00 a.m. has been
canceled due to the legislature's work.
The meeting will be rescheduled at a later
date. |
Top
10 Topics You May Be Overlooking in
Your Safety
Program
1.
Ergonomics
2.
Comprehensive slip and fall prevention
program
3.
Indoor air
quality
4.
Driver
selection
5.
Hiring
practices
6.
Drug/Alcohol
testing
7.
Business
continuity
8.
Hazard assessment / Job hazard
analysis
9.
Hierarchy of hazard
controls
10. Multiple
language communication |
  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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