Help set ABI’s policy priorities

At ABI, planning for the next legislative session begins as soon as the previous session has adjourned. ABI’s public policy team traveled throughout the state in May to meet with members and discuss the outcome of the 2017 legislative session and priorities for 2018.

These regional meetings serve as a starting point for ABI’s policy development process. However, the bulk of the work takes place during the public policy committee process. Committee meetings, which are strictly for members only, allow for engagement and dialogue with other members on key issues facing Iowa employers. The committee meetings will take place in August, and we’re looking for even greater participation from members. With more members involved, ABI can do an even better job representing Iowa businesses during the 2018 legislative session.

In 2017, we had more than 150 members from 90 different companies participate in the committee process. This played an integral role in the accomplishments we saw at the Statehouse during the 2017 legislative session.

After the policy meetings, the ABI Legislative Committee will meet in September to review committee recommendations and propose association priorities to the ABI board of directors. The ABI board will also meet in September to finalize the 2018 legislative priorities and policies. Learn more about the committees below and visit www.iowaabi.org/events to register.

Aug. 15 | Economic Growth
Focuses on economic development issues ranging from workforce and economic development state incentive programs to transportation of people and goods.

Aug. 16 | Workplace & Product Safety
Focuses on safety of any business’s most valuable resource: its people, as well as the products and services they make and provide. This committee will address occupational safety, workers’ compensation and liability issues.

Aug. 17 | Environment
Focuses on air, water and land quality issues affecting the regulated community, including permitting challenges.

Aug. 21 | Tax
Focuses on all forms of taxes levied on businesses, including property, income, sales and use taxes.

Aug. 22 | Employment and Workforce
Focuses on traditional human resource issues, including health care benefits and the challenges of workforce and skill development, as well as unemployment compensation issues.