Legislative News

Policy Committees Complete Work
On Tuesday, the ABI Tax Committee met for its annual public policy development meeting. Department of Revenue Director Mark Schuling shared a preview of tax items the Department will be raising with the 2010 General Assembly and took candid policy and procedural questions from members. In total, nearly 300 members attended either a policy committee meeting or a regional policy event this fall. ABI members identifying issues important to members businesses is the best way for ABI to be "The Voice of Iowa Business." Thank you to all participants!

ABI Participates in Climate Change Symposium
ABI Director of Government Relations Nicole Molt attended a symposium on October 17th hosted by the University of Iowa's Forkenbrock Series on Public Policy. The October 17th portion of the two day seminar focused on state and local policy responses. During the lunch, an Iowa legislative panel was held that featured State Senators Bill Dotzler and Kim Reynolds and State Representative Jeff Kaufmann. Senators Joe Bolkcom and Rob Hogg also participated in the event. The presentations will be posted in the next couple weeks on the University of Iowa Public Policy Center's website at: http://ppc.uiowa.edu/midwestenergy.

State Budget Cuts Impact on Property Taxes
Since Governor Chet Culver chose not to call a special legislative session of the General Assembly to make strategic cuts in the state budget, his 10 percent across the board cut will add up to $251 million to Iowa's property taxpayers. This shift is passed on locally whenever the state doesn't fulfill its commitment in funding K - 12 education. Local schools have to make up the difference and unless they have large reserves, the local property taxpayers pay the difference. Continue reading>>>

Teachers, Laborers Outraise Business
According to state reports, the Iowa teachers union and Iowa's largest private sector union are outpacing business in 2009 by investing their own dollars into their political action committees. Most recent reports show the following "cash on hand" totals:

ISEA PAC (teachers) $196,107

UAW PAC (labor) $134,415

Iowa Industry PAC (ABI) $56,632

"Like it or not the funding of political candidates through political action groups is a mainstay in our political process. IIPAC is one of the oldest PACs in the state yet it struggles to be large enough to be as effective as it could be. With several other groups having more dollars to invest, including several that fight against business, it is critical that business in Iowa contribute and grow this fund so its full effectiveness can be realized."
- Kendig Kneen, Al-Jon, Inc. Ottumwa

Participation by all ABI members is the key to success! To make a secure, on-line pledge CLICK HERE.