December 20, 2007

2008 Presidential Caucuses-Be Part of History!

Governor’s Workforce Summit

Affordable Health Care Commission

Office of Energy Independence Releases Energy Plan

ABI Environment Subcommittees Take Action

ABI Water Subcommittee Sets Priorities

ABI Waste Subcommittee to Meet

2008 Legislative Briefing & Reception –Jan. 16

Time is running out for IIPAC!

Legislative News 2008

STAFF:

Mike Ralston
President
515/235-0562

John R. Gilliland
Senior Vice President, 
Government Relations
515/235-0566

Jackie Paul
Administrative Assistant
515/235-0561

Nicole Molt
Director, 
Government Relations
515/235-0567

ABI ADVISORY COUNCIL

Resources & Links

Iowa Prosperity Project
for
-2008 Officials
-ABI Voting Records
-Issue Alerts
-Issue Education
-Register to Vote
-Write Your Legislator

For your own FREE
Prosperity Project website, click here.

www.iowaabi.org

Upcoming ABI Events - Mark Your Calendar!
Click Here to Register

January:

Wednesday, January 7^th -  4:30-6:00 pm in Downtown Des Moines: ABI Offices
“Representative Mike May Fundraiser”

Wednesday, January 16^th - 4:30-7:30 pm in Downtown Des Moines: Science Center
“ABI Legislative Reception”

March:

Tuesday, March 11^th -  11:00-3:30 pm Location TBD
“ABI Day on the Hill”

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2008 Presidential Caucuses-Be Part of History!

Iowa’s unique Presidential Caucuses are only a few days away and many Iowans have yet to make up their mind or decide whether to participate or not.  The caucuses take place on Wednesday, January 3 at 7:00pm.  Instead of having a polling booth open all day; caucuses require participants to show-up at a designated time to vote (6:30pm for Democrats, 7:00pm for Republicans).  From there, delegates to county convention are chosen and ideas for the party platform are discussed.  Participants may leave whenever they choose, and the caucus meetings rarely last more than a couple of hours.  The key though, is participation.  Iowa plays a unique role for the nation – be part of it.

The Iowa Prosperity Project, ABI’s online voter education resource has loads of information about the presidential candidates and the issues.  Please check it out at www.iowaprosperityproject.org

To find the caucus location in your neighborhood, go to www.iowagop.net for Republican or www.iowademocrats.org for Democrats.

Governor’s Workforce Summit

Governor Chet Culver hosted a Workforce Summit on Wednesday at the Polk County Convention Complex.  ABI co-sponsored the event and ABI Board Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling) gave the opening welcome for the conference and introduced the Governor.  Of the many workforce needs discussed, the need for better communication between business and educators was identified as a key component.  Knowing the skill needs at the K-12 and community college levels is critical to providing training for future workers.

Affordable Health Care Commission

The Affordable Health Care Commission met Wednesday of this week in Des Moines to begin finalization of their report to the Legislature.  The group will meet for a final time on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.  Among the items discussed in detail at Wednesday’s meeting was a mandated insurance coverage for all Iowans similar to the Massachusetts plan.  The discussion became a little heated, however, about how to pay for such plan.  Some lawmakers have suggested increasing taxes on health insurance premiums and medical treatment and services.  Other proposals include assessments on health insurers, health care providers, and hospitals.  Another idea offered was a “junk food” tax. 

Office of Energy Independence Releases Energy Plan

Earlier this month, the Iowa Office of Energy Independence released the plan for energy independence by 2025.  The plan outlines several steps to ensure Iowa ’s independence including energy efficient buildings, telecommuting for state employees and accelerated infrastructure development and renewable fuels for Iowa transportation.  For the full document, including goals, strategies and policy recommendations, click here.

ABI Environment Subcommittees Take Action

ABI’s Environmental Committee and subcommittees have been very active since the policy meetings in October.  ABI members have been dedicated to setting recommendations and focusing on long term environmental goals for the Association.  The next environment committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16^th in conjunction with the ABI annual Legislative Briefing and Reception at the Science Center of Iowa.

ABI Water Subcommittee Sets Priorities

The ABI Water subcommittee met this week to discuss recommendations for the Environment Committee relative to water policy strategy.  The subcommittee discussed the importance of working with stakeholders and the Department of Natural Resources to ensure any comprehensive water plan proposed by the DNR would not be detrimental to Iowa business and industry.

After the meeting, representatives of ABI’s water subcommittee met with DNR to discuss the proposed fee changes in the storm water program. 

ABI Waste Subcommittee to Meet

The Environment Waste Subcommittee will hold a meeting on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 to prepare recommendations for the full environment committee meeting.  

If you or anyone in your organization is interested in being part of the ABI Environment Committee or one of the subcommittees (Air, Water, or Waste) please contact Jackie Paul at jpaul@iowaabi.org.

2008 Legislative Briefing & Reception –Jan. 16

The annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception is set for Wednesday, January 16, 2008, at the Science Center of Iowa in downtown Des Moines.  The most well attended Legislative event of the year begins with “Members Only” briefing at 4:30 pm.  ABI’s Government Relations staff will lay out the legislative priorities and key issues for the 2008 session.  A reception will follow from 5:30-7:30 pm with all 150 Iowa legislators invited.  This event is the premier session kickoff event and a tremendous opportunity for legislators to hear what’s important from Iowa business leaders’ perspectives.  To more information and to register go to www.iowaabi.org.

Time is running out for IIPAC!

Have you made your annual contribution to the Iowa Industry PAC yet?  When the 2007 IIPAC ANNUAL REPORT comes out in January, will you be listed?  Will your peers know that you invested in your future, your job and your company?  Please give on-line HERE.

Legislative News 2008

This will be the last edition of ABI’s award-winning Legislative News for 2007.  The Legislative News and its Action Alerts were received by over nearly 3,000 ABI members each week (and forwarded on to hundreds more).  ABI’s online legislator communication tools received unprecedented use in 2007.  Thank you for your active role in the process, the feedback and for reading.  We’ll see you on a weekly basis in January 2008!

The Iowa Industry PAC is ABI’s best weapon to stop “anti-business” legislation and get back to advocating a pro-active business agenda.  

Please invest in your company by donating to IIPAC.  

Contributing is easier than ever!  CLICK HERE!

                                 Iowa Association of Business and Industry
                         904 Walnut Street, Suite #100
                           Des Moines, IA  50309
                          www.iowaabi.org
                           515-280-8000 / 800-383-4224