Today is: December 10,
2009
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Legislative
Reception
Workers' Comp
Seminar
March
16, 2010-EMC Insurance
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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
DNR Rescinds GHG
RulemakingOn Tuesday, the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held an
informational meeting on the proposed greenhouse
gas (GHG) rulemaking. ABI Director of
Government Relations Nicole Molt presented
comments on behalf of members regarding the
Tailoring Rule. Iowa should not make
unilateral regulations regarding GHG that will
make Iowa less competitive in the regional and
global economy. Following discussion, the
DNR announced their intention to withdraw their
notice of intended action. Continue
reading>>>
ABI to Testify Before Tax
Credit Panel
Governor Chet Culver's
Tax Credit Review Panel will hold two public
hearings on the value of tax credit incentives
for business next week. The Panel will hear
testimony on December 15th in Cedar Rapids and
in Urbandale on December 16th. ABI
President Mike Ralston will address the Panel in
Urbandale on behalf of ABI members. Continue
reading>>>
Governor Outlines
"Efficiencies"
On Tuesday, Governor Culver unveiled a list
of 90 potential cost saving efficiencies in
state government that could save the general
fund $340 million in Fiscal Year 2011.
Many of the cost saving measures included are
similar to ideas submitted by the public and
lawmakers during the last legislative session,
but were not acted upon. The Governor also
continued to challenge the state's fiscal crisis
figures published by the state Legislative
Services Agency. Continue
reading>>>
IIPAC Year Nearing Completion
Iowa Industry PAC Chair Kirk Tyler
is urging all friend's of ABI to participate in
the 2009 campaign before December 31.
Contributors are recognized in the 2010 ABI
Membership Directory as well as at the ABI
Legislative Briefing and Reception in January.
Continue
reading>>>
US Senate Health Care Plan
Costly for Small Business
The US Senate is working on the "Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act."
While health insurance reforms are needed, this
legislation as drafted will raise costs for
business, starting with billions of dollars in
new taxes. All businesses organized as "S"
corporations would be hit by a new surtax on
wage income and an excise tax would be imposed
on current health insurance plans. In
total, the legislation raises taxes by $493
billion. Continue
reading>>>
2010 ABI Legislative Briefing and
Reception - January 13Registration
has begun for the 2010 Legislative Briefing and
Reception. The annual event is one of the
best attended ABI events and provides great
opportunity to network with other ABI members
and members of Iowa's General Assembly. CLICK
HERE to register now and receive the
early bird registration
discount. |
 From
the Desk Of...Michelle
Rodemyer
The Genetic
Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA)
 GINA was enacted on May 21,
2008. Title II of GINA became effective on
November 21, 2009, and applies to private
employers with 15 or more employees, and to all
state and local government employers without
regard to the number of employees. Title
II of GINA prohibits the use of genetic
information in making decisions related to any
terms, conditions, or privileges of
employment. Specifically, Title II of GINA
makes it unlawful:
. . . for an employer to fail or refuse
or hire, or to discharge, any employee, or
otherwise to discriminate against any employee
with respect to the compensation, terms,
conditions, or privileges of employment of the
employee, because of genetic information with
respect to the employee.
42 U.S.C. § 2000ff-1(a)(1).
Significantly, Title II of GINA
also prohibits employers from obtaining any
genetic information, including family medical
history, from post-offer employment
applicants. Employers will likewise be
prohibited from obtaining this type of
information through any type of medical
examination required of employees for the
purpose of determining continuing fitness for
duty. Continue
reading>>>
Did you miss the Monday Memo
from ABI President Mike Ralston? For this week's
memo click
here. |
Top 5 Reasons for Having an
Employee Handbook...
1. The process of formulating
the policies to be included in an employee
handbook necessarily will require the employer
to consciously consider the manner in which
certain issues will be addressed. Adopting a
guideline by which an employer will address a
situation prior to its actual presentations as a
problem will discourage the employer
from making quick judgements when the
situation occurs.
2. An employee handbook
will help to ensure that employees who are
similarly situated will be similarly treated,
thereby promoting fair and consistent treatment
of employees. Continue
reading>>> |
Leadership
Iowa Session in Fairfield Cancelled
The Iowa Association of
Business & Industry Foundation's Leadership
Iowa session, slated for Thursday, December 10
and Friday, December 11 in Fairfield, has been
cancelled. Session planners for the
Fairfield session were forced to call off the
session, which was scheduled to draw
participants, sponsors and speakers from
throughout Iowa, late Wednesday due to severely
inclement weather affecting most of the state
since late Tuesday.
Session planner Brent Willett said he was
disappointed but plans to reschedule the session
were underway. "Ultimately, safety must
come first and we certainly were not going to
ask anyone to risk their safety to travel to
Fairfield in light of the winter storm we've
experienced," he said. "Weather happens,
and we're already in talks to bring a Leadership
Iowa session back to Fairfield in 2010 with many
of the same presenters, vendors and sponsors we
had lined up for this
session." | |
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