BW INSIGHTS

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Four Summary

This week the Senate began considering two far-reaching bills proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds that would address the affordable housing shortage and policing issues. SSB 1142 is aimed at increasing affordable housing stock largely through tax credits. The bill would establish a new $15 million low-income housing credit designed to match a... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Three Summary

This week Republican lawmakers moved rapidly on two of Governor Kim Reynolds’ highest priorities, with Reynolds signing one of the bills this morning. SF 160 requires all schools to offer 100% in-person learning. Schools can continue offering additional online or hybrid options, and the waiver process for coronavirus outbreaks remains the same.... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week Two Summary

With the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, this was a short week for lawmakers. On Wednesday, Senate Education Committee Chair Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) introduced two of the governor’s priority education bills. SSB 1064 would require all public and private schools to offer 100% in-person instruction for students. Schools would also be... Read More

2021 Iowa Legislative Session - Week One Summary

The legislature convened for the 89th General Assembly Monday, welcoming 26 newly-elected lawmakers to the statehouse. With Republicans maintaining their majority in the Senate and expanding it in the House, the GOP will continue driving the state’s policy agenda for the next two years. In his opening remarks, House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New... Read More

2020 NAIC Fall Meeting Summary

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its final 2020 meeting virtually over four days: 12/2-4 and 12/7-9. Following the activist agenda from the Summer meeting, this meeting was unremarkable. New officers were elected, and a few issues were decided but overall, it was non-controversial. 2020 NAIC Fall Meeting Summary Some... Read More

BrownWinick Serves as Supporter Organization for United Way 21-Day Equity Challenge

BrownWinick recently concluded its participation in United Way of Central Iowa’s 21-Day Equity Challenge. The Challenge, which took place from October 5 to November 2, served as a self-guided program in which participants were encouraged to engage in group discussion, explore ways to take action, and launch a lifelong commitment to improving... Read More

Center for Economic Justice Pleads Its Case for Overhauling the Life Insurance and Annuity Illustrations

At the November 10th, 2020 Life Insurance and Annuities “A” Committee meeting, Center for Economic Justice’s (CEJ) Executive Director Birny Birnbaum got another 20 minutes of airtime claiming, “Life insurance and annuity illustrations obscure instead of explaining, the operation of the policy or contract.” He reviewed a lengthy presentation during... Read More

“Spooky” Halloween Pumpkins

BrownWinick’s Charity Committee is thinking outside the box due to COVID to help non-profit organizations during this difficult time. So we put our heads together and came up with a more creative way to support one of our chosen non-profit organizations – Susan G. Komen Greater Iowa. The Pumpkin Decorating Contest was all VIRTUAL, with 1st, 2nd... Read More

Mark Cady Day of Public Service

On Friday, October 23, 2020, Iowa’s legal community held the inaugural Mark Cady Day of Service, honoring and celebrating the life of Justice Cady and his commitment to public service. There were various public service opportunities and BrownWinick decided to participate with a virtual food drive for the Food Bank of Iowa. The firm donated over... Read More