Iowa Association of 
Business and Industry  

Legislative News


The Voice of Iowa Business Since 1903 

 

June 4, 2007
In this issue you'll read:

2007 Legislative Session in the Books

Countryman to Represent ABI on New State Panel

Have You Made Your 2007 IIPAC Contribution Yet?

Member Survey: Input on Association Health Insurance Plan Sought

Governor to Attend ABI Board Meeting at Convention

ABI Staff at Convention

STAFF:

Mike Ralston
President
515/235-0562

Government Relations Team:

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

Kellie Paschke
 Vice President, 
Government Relations
515/235-0567

Tess Dickinson
Government Relations Coordinator
515/235-0561

ABI ADVISORY COUNCIL

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

Employee Drug Testing Compliance
September 27 - Ankeny

ABI Environmental Conference
October 1 & 2 - Coralville

Manufacturing and Distributors Conference
October 16 - Coralville

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2007 Legislative Session in the Books  

Governor Chet Culver had until last week to sign all legislation passed during the 2007 legislative session.  He signed the vast majority of all the bills that reached his desk.  The only mystery is how some of the appropriations are handled as the Governor has authority to item veto specific program funding without completely vetoing a large omnibus appropriations bill.  In total, the budget passed by the legislature totaled $5.8 billion, a 10% increase over fiscal year 2007.  Governor Culver’s item vetoes reduced that amount by $480,000.

The 2007 ABI Legislative Summary - a complete summary of the session’s most significant bills affecting Iowa business is now available on the ABI website.  Click Here.

 


Countryman to Represent ABI on New State Panel

ABI Tax Committee Chair and Association Board Member Larry Countryman (Wilson Trailer Company, Sioux City ) has been appointed by state officials to represent business interests on a new Iowa Equalization Review Board.  The panel was created by Iowa Department of Revenue Property Tax Division Administrator Dale Hyman.  Hyman, a former Polk County Deputy Assessor, was appointed to his position earlier this year by IDR Director Mark Schuling.  

Hyman created the new panel to review equalization orders developed by the department.  The panel is slated to meet at least twice and could be an important forum for business and other taxpayers to impact IDR decisions.

 


Have You Made Your 2007 IIPAC Contribution Yet????  

This past legislative session was anything but pro-active for the business agenda.  Issues such as Right to Work and Employer Directed Medical Care will continue to be in jeopardy until more business friendly legislators can be elected!  

As a member of the business community, you know how important it is for ABI to advance a pro-active agenda to grow Iowa .  A key component of ABI’s mission is to advocate for a business environment where businesses can grow and prosper, creating jobs and economic opportunities for our citizens.  The Iowa Industry PAC is ABI’s best tool 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!

 


Member Survey: Input on Association Health Insurance Plan Sought

As reported in the last Legislative News, Governor Culver has signed HF 790 - the bill that allows associations such as ABI to pool small employers (those with 2-50 employees) for the purpose of purchasing health insurance. ABI is meeting with carriers to explore how such a plan for ABI members could benefit employers to help stabilize premiums.  To gain a better perspective of the needs of our members, we ask that you or the employee benefits person in your firm complete the following short survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0d%2bKBYw3YSZYGbSAgdZH1Q%3d%3d 

 

Governor to Attend ABI Board Meeting at Convention  

It is anticipated Governor Chet Culver and a number of state legislators will attend the Welcome Reception that kicks off the 2007 ABI Convention next week in Okoboji.  On Wednesday, June 13, Culver is scheduled to participate in a joint meeting of the ABI Board of Directors and the Iowa Department of Economic Development Board and Iowa Workforce Development in the afternoon.  The Welcome Reception follows from 6:00-10:00pm at the Arrowwood.  If you haven’t registered, there’s still time.  Click Here

 


ABI Staff at Convention   

With the 2007 ABI Convention next week, ABI staff will be in Okoboji June 12-15 and will be unable to answer calls in the ABI office.  If you need assistance or need to reach an ABI staff member, please leave a voicemail as staff will check periodically for messages.  Staff will respond as quickly as possible to assist members.

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