1. 2004 Legislative Agenda Nears Completion

After thoughtful dialogue and consideration by ABI's ten different public policy committees and thorough review by the ABI Legislative Committee, the 2004 recommendations for the ABI Legislative Agenda are headed to the ABI Board of Directors. The Board will meet on November 13 to review and finalize our business agenda and priorities.

More than 700 volunteer committee members participated in the policy development process this year and have recommended policies on everything affecting business in Iowa from income taxes to energy to products liability to clean air. The Board will take all the recommendations and set priorities for ABI to pursue in the 2004 legislative session set to begin on January 12. Thanks to all the ABI members who participate in this great process!

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2. ABI Staff to Visit Members

To move the important legislative agenda forward and spotlight our pro-growth priorities, the ABI staff is embarking on their annual "Legislative Roadshow". Each year, ABI President Jim Aipperspach and lobbyist, John Gilliland and Michael Triplett travel the state to give presentations on the legislative priorities of Iowa business.

ABI's professional staff would like to come to your company and/or community to share the agenda. They can give a presentation or participate in a roundtable or panel discussion, and would like to encourage you to feel free to partner with other ABI members and non-members in your community for the event. Also, to help build support for the pro-business agenda and legislators, be sure to invite your colleagues, employees, community leaders and elected officials. ABI representatives are happy to address any size audience.

To schedule a presentation, please contact Jan Meek, (800) 383-4224 x576, (515) 235-0576, jmeek@iowaabi.org.

For questions, please feel free to call Jim Aipperspach at (800) 383-4224 x562, (515) 235-0562, jaipperspach@iowaabi.org

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3. Item Veto Lawsuit Argued in District Court

On Friday, October 31, the issue of whether Governor Tom Vilsack exceeded his item veto authority in striking key business reforms and tax relief from the Iowa Values Fund legislation was argued in Iowa District Court in Polk County. Judge Don Nickerson heard the Legislature's attorney Richard Sapp of the Nyemaster law firm make a persuasive argument that H.F. 692 was a "policy" bill not subject to the item veto under the Iowa Constitution. Attorney General Tom Miller, representing the Governor, admitted that the bill did not directly appropriate money, but maintained that parts of the bill did impact the "allocation of money" and therefore could make the bill eligible for item veto. Nickerson now has 30 days to rule. The losing party is guaranteed to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Judge Nickerson earlier in October denied applications by a group of Iowa trial lawyers and three Democrat legislators to intervene in the suit. The judge ruled that neither group brought anything new to the narrow issue of the Governor's constitutional item veto authority. Secondly, the court denied requests by the same 3 Democrat legislators, the Iowa Buildings & Construction Trades Council, and the Iowa Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO) to submit Amicus Curiae briefs at the district court level. In all three cases, the court concluded that the parties did not identify any "unique perspective" to the case, nor did they cite any legal authority to allow such briefs to be filed at the district court and would just increase the cost and workload for all involved in the case.

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4. ABI Foundation Restructured - Future Success Ensured

The ABI Foundation has recently undergone a transformation designed to make it more financially secure and its programs more far reaching. Previously, the foundation was structured with an executive director and program managers for its various programs including Leadership Iowa, Business Horizons and the Excellence in Teaching Institute.

Today, the foundation is lead by two individuals: Kay Neumann-Thomas - Vice President, Programs; and Jason Bridie - Vice President, Development.

Thomas served as the ABI Foundation's Interim Executive Director for the past several months and has been programs director for Business Horizons and Excellence in Teaching for many years. In her new position, Thomas will be managing all the foundation programs and providing key leadership by representing the foundation to its many strategic partners and service providers.

Bridie just joined the ABI Foundation last month and will be responsible for coordinating all foundation fundraising and development. Bridie previously had been a Director of Development at the University of Iowa Foundation and the Drake University College of Business and Public Administration. Prior to that Bridie was a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of School Boards for 6 years.

We congratulate both individuals and appreciate the excellence they bring to the ABI Foundation and its programs.

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