ABI Members Have Role to Play Assisting Policymakers in Responses to Virus

During a typical Iowa Legislative Session, this space in the April edition of the Business Record would normally reflect the successes of legislative initiatives supported by ABI members and perhaps a reporting on the association’s efforts to mitigate the unintended consequences of other legislation considered. The number of remaining legislative session-days would be noted, and they would count in the single digits. This would mark the end of one public policy cycle and begin the ABI committee process of developing public policy for the next legislative session.

But just one day before this writing the legislature was suspended for a minimum of 30 days to prevent the community spread of the coronavirus-19 at the Statehouse as large gatherings around the state and nation are discouraged. If plans hold the hiatus continues at the time of this publication.

The state of public health and the economy have been greatly affected by the virus and the necessary actions taken in response. ABI members have a role to play in assisting policymakers in the proper ongoing responses to the virus as we look forward. The priority areas ABI identified going into the 2020 legislative session are the same priorities that will guide us as we respond to the new challenges presented:

Workforce – What are the best policy options to help Iowa employers and employees through the current disruption and to remain one of the best, most productive workforces in the nation?

Competitive Business Climate – How can we help Iowa policymakers remain mindful of actions taken in other jurisdictions so that Iowa businesses can compete anywhere and succeed?

Regulatory Reform – How do we ensure that public policy responses do not come with new over-burdensome regulatory hurdles?

These are questions for the entire ABI membership. The ABI public policy staff will be seeking input from members as we interact with legislators and the executive branch. If your organization has input valuable to the response policymakers will be crafting, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to make us more effective.

Contact the ABI Public Policy Team

• JD Davis; Vice President, Public Policy; jddavis@iowaabi.org; 515-979-1212
• Brad Hartkopf; Director, Public Policy; bhartkopf@iowaabi.org; 712-249-8589