Prism Group's Daily Summary
FILING HEADACHES MOUNT AMID CONGRESSIONAL INACTION... With the House-passed tax package still held up in the Senate, business owners are coming to the realization that this year’s filing season will be – to put it lightly – difficult. That’s because the bill offers retroactive relief to businesses, which can in turn affect the amount owed on their 2023 returns, and possibly earlier years as well. Expect extensions, amended returns, and headaches to become the norm over the next few months.
APPRENTICESHIPS FOR EVERYONE; JUST DISCLOSE ALL FINANCIAL INFORMATION... As experts fully digest the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) latest proposed rule overhauling the national apprenticeship system, apprenticeship thought leaders, like economist Dr. Robert Lerman, question the excessive new reporting requirements. The proposed rule would require businesses sponsoring Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) to disclose expansive financial information as well as all workplace violations dating back to an undetermined time. The proposed rule would be overtly complicated, deterring small businesses from apprenticeships potential benefits.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Forty-three state legislatures are in regular session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
Supported by Governor Brian Kemp (R), the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 362, which requires workers to vote via secret ballot to unionize if their employers receive state incentives. This legislation seeks transparency and preventing intimidation in unionization efforts, yet has sparked debate over its impact on labor rights.
New York lawmakers have introduced a trio of bills to combat wage theft by empowering state agencies to revoke liquor and business licenses and issue stop-work orders against violators. This legislative push came about to address the chronic issue of wage theft, which has affected over 127,000 New Yorkers and resulted in $79 million in unrecovered back wages over five years.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... the house is out of session today. The full schedule may be found here.
The Senate... is out of session today. The full schedule may be found here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing on TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:00 AM on “Oversight of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI)”
Committee on the Budget will hold a hearing TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:00 AM on “The Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook.”
Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:15 AM on “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Wage and Hour Division.”
Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/15 at 10:15 AM on “Protecting American Savers and Retirees from DOL’s Regulatory Overreach.”
Committee on Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:00 AM on “Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers.”
Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:00 AM on “Oversight of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.”
Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/15 at 10:00 AM on “Lender of Last Resort: Issues with the Fed Discount Window and Emergency Lending.”
Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing Thursday, 2/15 at 2:00 PM on “Crypto Crime in Context Part II: Examining Approaches to Combat Illicit Activity.”
Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next TOMORROW, 2/14 at 10:00 AM on “Burdensome Regulations: Examining the Impact of EPA Regulations on Main Street.”
Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next Thursday, 2/15 at 10:00 AM on “Leveling the Playing Field: Challenges Facing Small Business Contracting.”
The Senate...
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Sen. James Risch (R-ID) introduced a bill to amend the Small Business Act to require that plain writing statements regarding the solicitation of subcontractors be included in certain subcontracting plans.
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) introduced a bill to assist entrepreneurs and support development of the creative economy.
Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1) introduced a bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to support the development of pre-apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades that serve underrepresented populations, including individuals from low income and rural census tracts.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (Rep.-D-FL-24) introduced bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities to improve their preparedness for power outages.
AT THE AGENCIES
The US Department of Labor
The US Department of Labor announced new partners to deliver employment assistance for transitioning service members and military spouses.
The US Department of the Treasury
The US Department of Labor announced the closing of Applications for First Year of Groundbreaking Inflation Reduction Act Program for Solar and Wind Energy in Low-Income Communities
The US Department of Commerce
The US Department of Commerce issued a readout entitled “Two Years of Indo-Pacific Strategic Results: Strengthening Indo-Pacific Commerce for a Prosperous Future.”
The US Trade Representative
The Office of the US Trade Representative published a fact sheet entitled “The USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism Delivers for Workers.”
The US Small Business Administration
The US Small Business Administration issued a press release entitled “SBA Trains 200,000th Boots to Business Entrepreneurship Course Graduate”
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