The Department of Labor this week finally issued its rule authorizing the creation of association health plans (AHP) that can help small businesses and the self-employed to get more affordable health coverage. Under the new rule, which will become effective on September 1 2018, the definition of an employer under the Employee Retirement Income Security…
Yes, if fact in Massachusetts, they’re calling it the Grand Bargain and aside from a permanent sales tax holiday for one weekend every August, it also includes an increase in the current $11 per hour minimum wage to $15 an hour and paid sick and family leave. The legislature on Wednesday put all three on…
The Massachusetts Supreme Court has thrown out efforts by progressives to implement an additional 4% surcharge on those who earn in excess of $1 million annually. The Millionaire’s Tax or the “Fair Share Amendment” as it is being called, was drafted as a ballot initiative for the November election and would have earmarked the projected…
The fight continues, but the first round goes to proponents of expanding the minimum wage in the Nation’s Capital as DC voters this week passed Initiative 77. The voter petition eliminates the tipped wage (currently $3.33) within the District of Columbia and by 2026 ramps up tipped employee wages to the District minimum. Currently the…
Proponents won another battle in the California city of Anaheim on Tuesday as well, when the Anaheim City Council decided to put a ballot initiative before the voters to decide on raising the city minimum wage to $18 by 2022. If voters approve the measure in November, it will only target, at least for the…
It has become the law in a number of California localities, as well as Seattle and New York City and most recently, the state of Oregon (where it becomes effective July 1), but now the city of Philadelphia is seemingly the latest to consider adopting a so-called Fair Workweek law. Philadelphia Councilor Helen Gym filed…
Although Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced his plans to increase the overtime threshold back in January of this year, the state Department of Labor and Industries (DLI) didn’t get around to it until last week – but they certainly made up for the delay. On June 12, DLI issued a proposed regulation that amends the…
Cicerly Simpson, Executive Vice President of the National Restaurant Association for the past three years left the post abruptly last Friday. Simpson, who previously served as Dunkin’ Brands Vice President for government affairs, is the latest in a string of government affairs professionals who’ve left the organization over the past decade. We wish her well…
Starbucks, making more than its share news of late – Chairman Howard Schultz announced his departure from the company, and then opening their restrooms to the public in the wake of the Philadelphia debacle – this week announced that it expects comparable sales to rise just 1% globally for the current quarter and would therefore…
Those who attended our 8th annual DDIFO National Conference in New Orleans earlier this month will want to check out the 2018 National Conference Photo Gallery from this year’s event. You should also feel free to download any of the pictures that may most interest you and enjoy!