Prism Group's Daily Summary
IRS E-FILE PROGRAM GOES LIVE WITH AMBITIOUS GOALS... IRS Direct File, the agency’s new free online tax-filing system, is now officially live in 12 participating states. Targeted at households with relatively simple returns, the program has been used by some 20,000 taxpayers so far, a figure the IRS hopes to grow fivefold by the end of this year’s filing season.
SMALL BUSINESSES IN DROUGHT-AFFECTED REGIONS URGED TO APPLY FOR LOANS... Small non-farm businesses across several states have been reminded to apply for the Small Business Administration’s low interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans program. The deadline is approaching. The last day for submissions is April 1, 2024.
HOUSE VOTES IN FAVOR OF LEGISLATION THAT COULD BAN TIKTOK... The House of Representatives voted yesterday to progress H.R. 7521, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, to the Senate. If passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, the legislation would require the owner of TikTok, Chinese company ByteDance, to sell TikTok to an American company. If ByteDance is unable to find an American buyer six months after the legislation is enacted, then TikTok will be illegal for download from app stores. The bill states that Chinese ownership of TikTok poses a threat to national security.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Thirty-four state legislatures are in regular session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
The Delaware Business Roundtable released its "Delaware Investment Agenda," urging local leaders to focus on innovation, talent, and long-term competitiveness for statewide economic growth. Chairman Brian DiSabatino emphasized the need for proactive measures in order to address emerging challenges, despite the state's current prosperity.
CenterPoint Energy's proposal to decarbonize its natural gas operations in Minnesota with an $105 million plan for 18 pilot projects has received mixed reactions. While climate and clean energy advocates acknowledge the effort, they argue it falls short of the ambitious steps required to meet Minnesota’s environmental goals, calling for better strategies to achieve net-zero emissions.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... is out of session today. The full schedule may be found here.
The Senate... convenes today at 10:00 AM ET. The full schedule may be found here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing next Wednesday, 3/20 at 10:00 AM on "Conducting Oversight: Testimony from the Small Business Administrator.”
The Senate...
Committee on Finance will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/14 at 10:00 AM on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Health and Human Services Budget.”
BILLS OF INTEREST
Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) introduced a bill to prohibit the inclusion of mandatory predispute arbitration clauses and clauses limiting class action lawsuits in health insurance contracts.
Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN-1) introduced a bill to require the Secretary of Commerce to reimpose duties on steel imported into the United States from Mexico.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA-3) introduced a bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide loans to manufacturers of energy grid products and components.
AT THE AGENCIES
The U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor announced that it will offer training and compliance assistance at the 2024 Central Alabama Construction Safety Conference.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
The U.S. Department of the Treasury published remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at Advanced Nano Products in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
The U.S. Department of Commerce
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a readout of Secretary Raimondo’s meeting with Thai deputy prime minister and minister of commerce Phumtham Wechayachai.
The U.S. Trade Representative
Check back Monday for possible updates.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
Check back Monday for possible updates.
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