BW INSIGHTS

Iowa Utilities Take Steps to Address Customers' COVID-19 Issues

By Haley Van Loon | 03.23.2020
Many of the electric, natural gas, water, and communications utilities serving Iowans have taken steps to address their customers’ utility service issues associated with the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Typically, these steps take the form of suspending disconnection of service for nonpayment, although the details of these suspensions can vary.... Read More

Event Cancellations as a Result of COVID-19? Check Your Contracts!

By BrownWinick | 03.22.2020
With extreme social distancing requirements in place across Iowa and the United States, it is clear that COVID-19 will have an impact on our lives for weeks to come. Cities, schools, and universities alike have cancelled scheduled events — and more and more cancellations are still to come. But what if your organization has booked a venue, caterer,... Read More

Your Estate Plan To-Do List While Social Distancing

By Robert Hodges | 03.20.2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event that is changing the way we think about protecting our families, health and wealth. During this time, some of you may find yourself at home practicing social distancing in order to do your part in flattening “the curve”. This time at home may provide an opportunity to consider your estate plan. This... Read More

Option for Avoiding Total Layoffs During COVID-19

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
This is not a new program but has new features to assist employers in trying to avoid layoffs. Iowa Workforce Development describes its “Voluntary Shared Work Program Unemployment Insurance Benefits” (VSW) below: “The program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and can be an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a temporary... Read More

Employer Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment Benefits in Iowa

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
Do employees need to exhaust all vacation, sick leave, or personal time off (PTO) time prior to claiming unemployment benefits? Yes. If an employer offers vacation, sick leave, or PTO time to employees, the employees must exhaust those benefits prior to claiming unemployment benefits. Are employers required to lay off employees in order for the... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 9

By BrownWinick | 03.13.2020
NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect new measures taken by the governor and lawmakers to address coronavirus-related issues as of late afternoon Monday, March 16. Legislative leadership has suspended the 2020 session for at least the next 30 days due to community spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 8

By BrownWinick | 03.06.2020
Lawmakers passed their first major appropriations bill this week, funding K-12 education. Under SF 2142 school spending would increase by about $85.57 million. The 2.3% funding hike was a compromise between Senate and House Republicans. While the Senate proposed a 2.1% increase, the House called for 2.5%, which is what Governor Kim Reynolds... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 7

By BrownWinick | 02.28.2020
Since many bills failed to clear the key “first funnel” deadline, lawmakers have shifted their focus to debating active legislation on the floor and crafting government spending measures. Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill Tuesday allocating more than $13 million to address K-12 funding inequities. SF 2164 authorizes $7.2 million to assist school... Read More

2020 Legislative Session - Week 6

By BrownWinick | 02.21.2020
Lawmakers focused heavily on committee work this week, as they raced to beat Friday’s first funnel deadline. Most legislation that hasn't passed full committee in either the Senate or the House isn't eligible for consideration the rest of session. (The major exceptions to this rule are bills dealing with taxes, spending, or government oversight.)... Read More

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