It would appear that a more than doubling of the existing federal minimum wage from the current $7.25/hour to $15/hour is out of the pending $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill pending in Congress, at least for the time being. In the initial deliberations on the budget resolution (the vehicle by which the Senate will approve…
Read More »Congressional leaders indicated that a COVID-19 relief package was “close, but not yet final” yesterday as they worked on reaching compromise language on a few outstanding issues. The situation however is very fluid with a host of issues potentially addressed – or created – by the legislation. That said, there is no actual legislative language…
Read More »Although it may have seemed to be the ultimate longshot at times, Senate Finance Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) is hopeful of adding expiring tax breaks (aka tax extenders) to the omnibus appropriations bill and COVID-19 relief package coming together this week. Senator Grassley said the must-pass nature of COVID relief in particular increases the likelihood…
Read More »As we move closer to the transition – Congressional as well as Presidential – in Washington DC, long-stalled negotiations on a new COVID-19 stimulus package gained new life. Democratic leaders quickly seemed to rally being $908 billion bipartisan proposal with an eye on winning sufficient support in the republican-led Senate. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)…
Read More »DDIFO members have seen first-hand this year the great work that the Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) does on behalf of member franchisees across the country. With timely webinars, the virtual Congressional Town Hall meetings they began a few months ago and specific representation on issues of import to franchisees, CFA has proven its value…
Read More »As we trudge along to a presidential winner, the question of business COVID-19 liability shields for businesses continues to generate discussion. Yesterday in DC, the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development & Insurance held a virtual public hearing on H.R. 7011, The Pandemic Risk Reinsurance Act (PRIA). This legislation, filed by Congresswoman…
Read More »The United States Senate again failed to muster enough votes to bring a COVID relief bill worth about $500 billion to the Senate floor for consideration. By a party line vote of 51-44, the “skinny” measure for the second time in five weeks, failed to get the 60 votes required to move it forward for…
Read More »It might seem like nothing more than political rhetoric when it is spewed by Washington politicians, but helping small business cope with the fallout from the coronavirus is in the forefront of the voter’s mind according to the latest survey by Goldman Sachs. The financial giant released a survey of Florida voters earlier this month…
Read More »Despite reports of its demise until after the presidential election on November 3, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has scheduled a vote on another skinny $500 billion relief bill for next week. It would appear the upcoming vote on the $500 billion relief bill is an effort to force the democrat (Pelosi)-led US House to…
Read More »As has been widely reported, President Trump has called off further negotiations with the House over another round of COVID relief legislation coming out of Congress, pointing to the alleged intransigence of House leadership to negotiate in good faith. Consequently, with only 26 days until the Presidential election (but possibly months until a winner is…
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