Special thanks to West Virginia-Ohio Valley Chapter’s Duane Shurow of Progressive Electric for renewing his PLC membership!

Personal Contributions = 773
Corporate Contributions = 962

NECAPAC Fund to 11-29-19 = $783,984
ADMIN Fund to 11-29-19 = $228,230

Total Contributions to Date = 1,735
Total Dollars to Date = $1,012,214 

1. Multiemployer Pension Reform Update

Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairmen of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee and the Senate Finance Committee, respectively, published a white paper on November 20 with their initial proposals for solving the crisis and challenges facing the multiemployer pension system. This document is the first proposal of weight coming from Republican Senate leaders but is not a legislative text, or a declared bill. The white paper is intended to begin a more in-depth discussion on potential fixes and should be understood as the starting point of negotiations.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA will submit comments and continue working with Members of Congress and meeting with congressional leaders and staff on this matter before final legislation is introduced to make sure the industry’s needs are met. While the white paper includes composite plan design and other beneficial aspects, there are revisions that should ultimately be made. To that end, NECA will focus its advocacy on the following topics:

• Maintaining Responsible Employer Premiums
• Limiting the Damages of Withdrawal Liability
• Passing Innovative Composite Plan Design

As this is the initial proposal in a multifaceted negotiation, we continue to urge restraint from our membership. Your government affairs team will tirelessly work on your behalf to represent your companies and our industry to insure we achieve a positive result.

More information can be found here

2. 2020 Legislative Conference Dates Announced

The NECA 2020 National Legislative Conference will be held April 27-30, 2020 in Washington, DC.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA looks forward to welcoming our contractors to the nation’s capital for another year of advocating for our industry.

3. Take Action on Nuclear Powers America Act

Tell Congress to support the bipartisan Nuclear Powers America Act (H.R. 2314/S. 1134). This legislation will help NECA contractors by extending the ITC to include nuclear work by creating a 30 percent tax credit for refueling costs and qualified nuclear power plant capital expenditures for each taxable year through 2023. Thereafter, the credit rate would be reduced until it reached 10 percent in 2026. Nuclear power accounts for 20% of the nation’s electrical supply, produces more than 60% of the emissions-free generation in America, supporting 475,000 jobs.

NECA’s Look Ahead: Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) introduced the NECA-supported bipartisan Nuclear Powers America Act (H.R.2314 / S.1134). NECA has long advocated for a diverse portfolio of energy sources especially, clean and renewable energy sources such as nuclear power.

Funding for the federal government runs out in 14 days.

The 2020 Presidential election is in 347 days.

This week, NECA’s government affairs team met with Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Rep. Fred Keller (R-Pa.), Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Rep. Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-S.C.), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.).

Special thanks to Quad Cities Chapter’s Dan Palmer of Tri City Electric for renewing his PLC membership!

Congratulations to NECA’s Northern Illinois Chapter, Twin Ports-Arrowhead Chapter, Eastern Illinois Chapter, South Texas Chapter, and Kansas City Chapter for reaching their 2019 NECAPAC goals!

Personal Contributions = 795
Corporate Contributions = 994

NECAPAC Fund to 12-6-19 = $800,639
ADMIN Fund to 12-6-19 = $231,430

Total Contributions to Date = 1,789
Total Dollars to Date = $1,032,069 

This week in Government Affairs, Federal Government consolidates platforms for federal work, NECA urges Congress to pass appropriations bills before deadline and 2019 NECAPAC contributions deadline announced.

This week in government affairs: NECA opposes bill to raise top tax rate for pass-throughs, NECA member testifies before the house small business committee and NECA Wins in NDAA.

Funding for the federal government runs out in 7 days.

The 2020 Presidential election is in 340 days.

This week, NECA’s government affairs team met with Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif), Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn), Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Rep. Rodney David (R-Ill.), Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.).

Congratulations to NECA’s Kansas Chapter, Northeastern Line Chapter, and Southern Colorado Chapter for reaching their 2019 NECAPAC goals!

Personal Contributions = 812
Corporate Contributions = 1045

NECAPAC Fund to 12-13-19 = $813,269
ADMIN Fund to 12-13-19 = $236,615

Total Contributions to Date = 1857
Total Dollars to Date = $1,049,884

Funding for the federal government runs out in 285 days.

The 2020 Presidential election is in 333 days.

This week, NECA’s government affairs team met with Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.). 

Congratulations to NECA’s North Central Ohio Chapter, Greater Cleveland Chapter, Central Ohio Chapter, Oregon-Pacific-Cascade Chapter, Northern Indiana Chapter, Minneapolis Chapter, Orange County Chapter, Chicago and Cook County Chapter, San Diego Chapter, Northern California Chapter, and San Francisco Chapter for reaching their 2019 NECAPAC goals!

Personal Contributions = 863
Corporate Contributions = 1052

NECAPAC Fund to 12-20-19 = $833,269
ADMIN Fund to 12-20-19 = $240,275

Total Contributions to Date = 1915
Total Dollars to Date = $1,073,544 

1. NECA Wins in Year-End Funding Bills

On December 17, 2019, Congress passed two funding bills, H.R. 1158, FY2020 Consolidated National Security Appropriations Package and H.R. 1865, FY2020 Consolidated Domestic and International Assistance Package, both resulting in big wins for NECA contractors.

NECA’s Look Ahead: In addition to ensuring the full operation of the federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020, several of NECA’s top legislative priorities were included:

• Full repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) 40 percent “Cadillac Tax”

• Allowing 529 savings accounts to be used for costs associated with Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs

• Seven-year reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program

• Extension of the National Flood Insurance Program

• Full repeal of health insurance tax (HIT) and the medical device excise tax

• Seven-year authorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank

• An extension of 179D energy efficiency tax deduction retrospectively from 2017 and prospectively through 2020

• $1 billion for Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants

Summaries of the package can be found below:

Full Package Summary – H.R. 1158

Full Package Summary – H.R. 1865

Division Q – Summary (Revenue Provision Amendment)

2. USMCA Passes the House

On December 19, 2019, the House passed, in a 385 to 41 vote, the NECA-supported United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), H.R. 5430, to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

NECA’s Look Ahead: Now that the USMCA has passed the House, it will move to the Senate. Under the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the bill procedurally spends up to 15 legislative session days in the Senate Finance Committee. Then, there are up to 15 session days for the Senate to vote on the floor. With Impeachment Articles passed from the House taking precedent, USMCA is unlikely to see a Senate vote any time before late February.

3. Impeachment Update

On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives took up impeachment procedure and  passed H. Res. 755 – “Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors” by a vote of  230 – 197, 1 for Article I and by a vote of 229 – 197, 1 for Article II.

NECA’s Look Ahead: It remains unclear when the two articles of impeachment will reach the Senate. When they do arrive to the Senate, it is expected that the Senate will begin the trail immediately.  

NECA's Government Affairs team wraps up 2019, check out the year-end review.

1. Congress Passes Families First Coronavirus Response Act 

On March 18, 2020, the President signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201). NECA was able to work with Members of Congress to address many of the concerns related to paid sick leave and paid family leave. H.R. 6201 states that the paid sick and family leave mandate is optional for businesses with less than 50 employees and makes no mandate or credit for businesses with more than 500 employees. The new provision ensures that no business will be saddled with a financial liability larger than the payroll tax credit it receives. More information is available in NECA’s full summary.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The legislative process remains fluid and this bill is the second in a series of at least three bills designed to address this crisis. NECA continues to work with Members of Congress to ensure economic relief for our contractors in the Phase III stimulus package. 

2. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS to Provide Relief from Tax Payments

On March 18, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released a statement on what was being done to minimize the impact COVID-19 has on families and small businesses. This guidance allows tax payments to be deferred until July 15, 2020, with no penalties or interest. Those individuals that owe less than $1 million and corporations that owe less than $10 million qualify for this relief. The IRS resource page on Coronavirus Tax Relief can be found here.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA supports the actions being taken by the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS. We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 legislation on NECA contractors as well as any changes the Federal Government makes to provide relief. 

3. Register Today for the Government Affairs Webinar

On March 26, 2020 at 2:00 PM EST, NECA’s Government Affairs team will be hosting our quarterly Political Leadership Council (PLC) town hall webinar, but for one time only, we are allowing all NECA members to register for this webinar. NECA is devoted to keeping all our contractors up to date on the latest in Washington concerning the coronavirus.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The webinar content will focus on the legislation included in the coronavirus response package. The team will give an overview of Phases I and II, that have already passed Congress, as well as the status of Phase III.

Register Today

1. PPP Safe Harbor Deadline Extended

On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department extended the safe harbor date for those that applied for a PPP loan prior to April 24, 2020. The original date, May 7, 2020, has been pushed back to May 14, 2020. Borrowers will not need to apply for the extension and additional guidance on how the SBA will review the certification will be provided shortly. NECA released the following alert pertaining to the extension and forthcoming guidance.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is pleased by this extension after sending a letter to the Treasury department last week. We continue to advocate for NECA contractors as we move forward during this time.

2. Bill Introduced to Make 501(c)(6) organizations Eligible for PPP Loans

On May 5, 2020, Representatives Chris Papas (D-NH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced H.R.6697 – “Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act of 2020”. This NECA supported legislation would expand the Paycheck Protection Program by allowing 501(c)(6) organizations, such as NECA Chapters, to access the Paycheck Protection Program to meet payroll and other necessary expenses during this crisis. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA will encourage the inclusion of this bill in any future COVID-19 relief package along with additional PPP reforms such as:

• Extending the PPP to more than eight weeks or allow companies to apply again after the first eight-week period ends.

• Increasing the qualified expenses covered under the Paycheck Protection Program to include nonpayroll expenses.

3. NECA Requests Infrastructure Support in Next COVID-19 Bill

NECA joined 71 trade associations and labor unions in a coalition letter to President Trump to encourage continued support for infrastructure in the next Phase of COVID-19 legislation.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA continues to advocate before the Administration and Congressional leaders for the inclusions of major infrastructure investment as a corner stone for the next phase of COVID-19 legislation, often referred to as Phase IV.

There’s no doubt that businesses have been thrown into a “new normal”. For the past few weeks, business owners have worked to understand the aspects of the CARES Act, and the FFCRA, while trying to rework budgets, cash flow projections,… Read More

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Dun & Bradstreet has created a COVID 19 impact index for businesses.

At?KMWorld 2019,?three themes emerged with much greater emphasis than in previous years

Humble's latest charitable bundle has ended its run, and raised over $6.5 million for COVID-19 relief efforts in the process. ...

The COVID-19 Research Pass (CPR) program provides direct access to more than 26 million articles

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The new partnership will allow researchers and companies to take full advantage of powerful data solutions to speed the development of a vaccine, at no cost

RavenCSI "Pro" plan - a leading survey tool for business intelligence capture, to be offered at no cost through the end of 2020

The program provides access to tools and expertise for developers working on COVID-19-related programs and applications, relief for small businesses, enhanced support for customers

The end of the year is fast approaching whether we are ready or not! There are several tax savings strategies that you can utilize to reduce the taxes you will be paying for the 2019 tax year.
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By now you have heard about the Coronavirus. The sad reality is that it is spreading quickly and will continue to spread for a while. Did you know that we are getting roughly 13,000 new cases a day and it’s growing fast? No one really knows how many people will be infected (or will pass […]

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It’s been roughly a month now since the Coronavirus started to flip our lives upside down. From having to practice social distancing and getting used to life without the outdoors to continually washing our hands and wearing masks and seeing loved ones and friends getting sick, the Coronavirus is something none of us expected. Even […]

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The time saved on travel can now be used to upskill or learn about a new sector or industry that you previously did not cater to. Having a sound knowledge of your clients’ business makes you stand out amongst your competition.

The Code has expanded the definition of “employer” as well as “employee”, resulting in a broad based applicability of the regulations and is now applicable to employees in both organised and unorganised sectors.

The term that has assumed relevance in contractual context today for businesses is “force majeure”.

It is impractical for one or a small group of company executives to collect, and process all the information regarding the imminent threat of Covid-19 infection in their area or among their staff.

With businesses all over the world taking action to help combat the spread of COVID-19, many organizations are moving towards remote working.

We are all in this together, so the ideal way is to stay transparent with your consumers about what your business is going through. Customers can empathize with companies facing a crisis, as long as the communication is transparent.

The pandemic has not only caused innumerable casualties and grief, but has sent economies on a downward spiral. The only proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is a collective assumption that ‘this, too, shall pass.’

The ABC has launched a $5 million development fund to provide urgent and critical support to independent Australian producers and safeguard local content and creativity during these unprecedented times.

Car sales dipped 8% last month compared to Jan 2019: SIAM

Covid-19: JLR restores three-fourth of its budgeted production in China

Canalys Senior Analyst Ben Stanton said that in February, when the coronavirus was centered on China, vendors were mainly concerned about how to build enough smartphones to meet global demand.

Both Xiaomi and Realme said they will restructure their product plans and portfolio this year with the change in buying habit.

The interest rate on a COVID loan is lower than a personal loan and can vary from 8%-15% per annum. The loan term varies from 6 months to 5 years.

Covid-19 outbreak: Donald Trump suspends 'all travel from Europe' to US for 30 days

Covid-19 outbreak: ECB unveils stimulus boost to overcome virus shock

Covid-19 to impact domestic as well global growth: RBI governor

COVID-19 impact: OYO cuts 25% of fixed pay of employees; some staff sent on leave

3 deals in 3 weeks: Mukesh Ambani’s plans on track to make Reliance debt-free despite COVID-19 pandemic

The price of imported ventilators starts from Rs 8 lakh and goes up to as high as Rs 25 lakh a unit.