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Iowa Association of Business and Industry Releases 2011 Legislative Agenda
For Immediate Release:
November 22, 2010
Contact: Michael Ralston, President
(800) 383-4224 x-562 / (515) 235-0562
ABI Releases 2011 Legislative Agenda
2011 Focus: Job Creation, Regulatory Reform
(Des Moines, IA – Nov. 22, 2010) Iowa’s largest business trade association announced its 2011 legislative agenda for growth The Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s (ABI) agenda is strategically focused on job creation, fiscal responsibility, tax policy and regulatory reform.
“Job creation by Iowa’s businesses is the best cure for Iowa’s economic condition. Creating an environment for that growth should be the primary focus for policymakers in the 2011 legislative session,” said Sarah McDonald Hasken, A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Company in Dubuque, ABI’s Board Chair.
“Our members want to see refocused efforts at the Department of Economic Development to promote those things about Iowa’s business climate that make us attractive to job creators,” says Mike Ralston, ABI president. “Our Right to Work freedom and workforce training programs should be highlighted.”
ABI’s legislative priorities and policies are established on an annual basis through an in-depth grassroots committee process. More than 600 individuals working through five specialized ABI committees, along with regional meetings, develop the legislative policies. The policies are then refined, reviewed and approved by the Legislative Committee and the ABI Board of Directors.
The list of ABI's legislative accomplishments includes the passage of: Workers' Compensation legislation in 1911; the landmark Right to Work Law in 1947; the Sales and Use Tax Exemption on Machinery, Equipment and Computers in 1997; Drug-Free Workplace Testing in 1998; Venture Capital Investment Incentives and the Insurance Premium Tax Reduction in 2002; the Association Health Plans and Wellness Initiatives in 2007; and most recently Transportation Investment in 2008.
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The Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s (ABI) has been the voice of Iowa business since 1903, and its mission is to collectively provide a strong, unified voice to business and industry on issues impacting Iowa employers. ABI is currently comprised of approximately 1,400 Iowa businesses of all types and sizes employing more than 300,000 Iowans.
Specific emphasis is given to legislative and regulatory matters and to education and leadership development, including ongoing training to member businesses annually. Additionally, to date, ABI’s Foundation has engaged 800 Iowans through Leadership Iowa and provided business fundamentals to 5,000 Iowa high school students through Business Horizons.
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