2007 Legislative Agenda

Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation

Public Policy 2007

2007 ABI Prosperity Agenda

ABI believes the short- and long-term prosperity of Iowa depends on the successful development of new and existing business and industry. Vigorous economic development can best be realized through a superior business, regulatory and tax climate. To achieve these goals, ABI offers our 2007 Legislative Priorities and Policies that we believe encompass the tools necessary to grow Iowa's economy.

	HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
	ABI supports all reasonable initiatives that will reduce and stabilize the growth of premiums, including:
		increased flexibility for employers to pool together to purchase health insurance for their employees and maintain existing protections of Iowa’s small-group health insurance law;
		focused tax credits and other incentives for small employers to maintain coverage and decrease the number of uninsured Iowans;
		increased rating flexibility and incentives for voluntary wellness initiatives; and
		opposition to government mandates on private healthcare plans because they threaten the availability of insurance coverage leaving more Iowans uninsured.


	PROPERTY TAXES
	ABI supports the development of a property tax system that is equitable to all classes of property. The system should not be complex and should be based on actual value and usage of the property. The system should provide adequate safeguards to prohibit spikes in rates and assessment. Iowa’s current property tax system allows for burden shifting to commercial and industrial property owners, which places Iowa at a significant competitive disadvantage. ABI supports immediate linkage of all classes of property to stop burden shifting.
	RIGHT-TO-WORK
	ABI supports Iowa’s Right-To-Work law as a vital freedom for all Iowans. No one should be forced to join a union or pay dues or fees to a union in order to get or keep a job.
	WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CHOICE OF MEDICAL CARE
	ABI supports Iowa’s current system of employers’ choice of medical care for work-related injuries.
	ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
	ABI supports the efforts of environmental regulatory authorities to work proactively with business and industry, including expeditious review to enhance economic growth and development. Decision-making should be done according to rules and published departmental guidelines and consistently applied throughout the state.
	IOWA EDUCATION
	Iowa must address its educational system and return it to leadership status among the states. ABI supports performance-based education and statewide accountability standards, as outlined by organizations such as the Institute for Tomorrow’s Workforce and other business education organizations.

Table of Contents

	Economic Growth Committee
	Employment and Workforce Committee
	Environment Committee
	Tax Committee
	Workplace and Product Safety Committee
	ABI Legislative Committee

For Over 100 Years,
the Iowa Association of Business and Industry has been "the voice of Iowa business" at the Statehouse. Our legislative victories have paved the way for a good business environment in our state, but there's still work to be done.
learn more...

For additional information contact:

John R. Gilliland Senior Vice President, Government Relations 515-235-0566 jgilliland@iowaabi.org
Nicole Molt Director, Government Relations 515-235-0567 nmolt@iowaabi.org

Welcome to Iowa ABI

Iowa Association of Business and Industry, "The Voice of Iowa Business since 1903" is the largest business network in the state(serving as Iowa's State Chamber) with long legacy of advocating for a competitive business climate in Iowa. Offering its members opportunities to network, learn best practices in Lean Processes, Workforce, Workers' Compensation, Controlling Health Care Costs, Employee Drug Testing Environmental Issues and Leadership ABI works, "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."

Iowa Association of Business and Industry
The Voice of Iowa Business Since 1903

904 Walnut St., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50309-3503
515-280-8000 or 800-383-4224
Fax 515-244-8907
E-Mail: abi@iowaabi.org | Web: www.iowaabi.org