Posts by growthzone

The Fall Legislative Agenda In addition to the September 30th deadline for appropriation bills, there are a number of other legislative measures that need to be addressed including the farm bill.  Also, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s authorization expires on September 30th. The law sets funding levels and authorizes revenue collections for Airport and Airway…

The Senate Addresses Artificial Intelligence (AI) This week, the Senate heard from virtually all the captains of America’s tech industry including some key defense figures, on the subject of artificial intelligence (AI). Senate Majority Leader Schumer stated, “it was a meeting unlike any other that we have seen in the Senate in a very long…

ASA Submits Comments to MSHA’s Proposed Silica Rule ASA, along with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CSIC), submitted comments to the recent Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) proposed rulemaking on its respirable crystalline silica standard. Workplace safety and health is paramount for our members, and each is committed to creating safer construction jobsites for workers.…

This Week in Congress Congress has few working days left to fund the government and extend key programs by September 30th, with the Senate scheduled to return this week and the House on September 12th. Both chambers have a packed agenda that will include work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations, the annual defense policy…

Funding the Government When the House and Senate are both in session next week, members of Congress will have only 11 legislative days to come to an agreement on the continuing resolution (CR) before the current fiscal year expires on September 30, 2023. Speaker McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Schumer agreed on the general idea…

Supplement Disaster Assistance Sen. Scott (R-FL) and other Republicans have called for passing disaster relief separately from the rest of the emergency package, fearing extensive debates over Ukraine aid and border security could delay relief to hard-hit areas.  President Biden rejected that suggestion and additional funding for Ukraine continues to face resistance from some GOP…

Overtime Proposed Rulemaking Released The Department of Labor (DOL) released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking altering the overtime pay regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  The proposal increases the minimum salary threshold to $55,068, up from the current $35,568, a 55% increase. The proposal also implements automatic increases to the threshold. The threshold will…

ASA Supports Rep. McHenry (R-NC)’s Protecting Small Business Information Act Rep. McHenry (R-NC)’s Protecting Small Business Information Act (H.R. 4035) would delay the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)’s January 1, 2024, effective date.  The CTA’s reporting requirements will subject tens of millions of small businesses to higher compliance costs, privacy risks, and hefty fines and prison…

IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Prepare for Natural Disasters September is National Preparedness Month and with the peak of hurricane season just ahead, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to develop an emergency preparedness plan or, if they already have one, to update it for 2023.  Per the IRS, taxpayers can begin getting ready for a…

Pay Raise for Federal Workers President Biden submitted the paperwork to move forward with what averages out to a 5.2 percent federal pay increase next year. The President notified Congress of his intent to implement a previously announced alternative pay schedule for many federal civilian workers in 2024, in line with his budget request earlier…