Senate Republicans elect new leaders after Dix resignation Senator Dix’s resignation from the Iowa Senate this week necessitated an abbreviated leadership contest in the Senate Republican caucus to choose new leaders as the 2018 Session winds to a close. Those elections took place on Wednesday. Senator Jack Whitver was elected as the new Senate Majority Leader and vacated his post as President of the Senate. Senator Whitver has been a member of the Republican leadership team for the last two years and provides the Republican caucus with a relatively seamless transition, as he has been involved in virtually all major decision-making and negotiations with the Governor’s office and the House. Senator Charles Schneider was elected as the new President of the Senate and vacated his position as the Senate Republican Whip. Again, as a member of the Republican leadership team for the last two years, he assumes his new duties with a great deal of experience. Senator Schneider also serves as Chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee and will maintain those duties through the close of the 2018 Session. Senator Amy Sinclair was elected as the new Senate Republican Whip and Senator Jake Chapman was elected as a new Assistant Majority Leader. A Special Election for Senator Dix’s seat is likely to be set for April 10. |
January Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 18, 2018) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index declined slightly in January from December’s weak reading, remaining below growth neutral, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, like all indices in the survey, ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, fell to 46.8 from 47.8 in December. Though the overall index remained below growth neutral, it is significantly higher than the reading for January 2017. “While the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for January declined and remained below growth neutral, year-over-year indices are trending higher. Clearly, based on our recent surveys, the negatives are getting less negative,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. When asked to name the greatest 2018 economic challenge for their banks, four in 10 bankers reported that loan defaults represented the biggest challenges for the year ahead. This is well ahead of the second ranked challenge of competition from Farm Credit coming in at 15.6 percent. Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for January rose to 42.2 from 39.8 in December. This is the 50th straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. December Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 21, 2017) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index improved from November’s weak reading but remained below growth neutral, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, like all indices in the survey, ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, expanded to 47.8 from 44.7 in November. While the overall index remained below growth neutral, it is up approximately 11.4 percent from December, 2016. “While the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for December remained below growth neutral, this is the highest December reading that we have recorded since 2014. Clearly, based on our recent surveys, the negatives are getting less negative,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. Only one-fifth, or 20.4 percent, of bank CEOs reported that their local economy was expanding. While this indicator remains bearish, it is well up from the 8.7 percent reporting an expanding local economy in February 2016. by Dave Caris, CEO - Community Bankers of Iowa Tax reform legislation has not yet been introduced in the Iowa Legislature, but the Governor, the House and the Senate are all expected to release their versions of tax reform legislation in the next several weeks. Tax or Ways and Means Committee bills are not subject to the funnel deadlines of the Legislature, so comprehensive tax reform, including the issue of credit union taxation, will be a live issue until the end of the Legislative Session in April. Prior to the introduction of legislation and the resulting debate, the Credit unions have launched a massive media and grassroots campaign in an effort to maintain their "FREE RIDE."
It's important that bankers speak out to policy makers on this critical issue to counter the onslaught of contacts from credit unions. The Iowa Bankers Association has developed an excellent and quick method of finding and emailing your State Legislator to speak out on this issue. Just click here. The IBA and CBI are united on this major issue. We urge you to email your State Senator and Representative and, in your own words, tell them it's time to end the free ride. The following are a few key points you may want to consider:
by Dave Caris, CEO - Community Bankers of Iowa Iowa's credit unions have launched a massive media and grassroots campaign before even seeing legislation to finally require them to pay their fair share of taxes. When you are talking to your employees, friends, neighbors and policy makers about this issue, keep the following key points in mind:
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