Merkley & Welch: Bill Creates Jobs and Helps the Environment
Almost two years after the bottom fell out of the American financial system, the economy has stabilized. Congress has done a lot to turn the recession around and prevent another financial crisis. But we cannot give in to complacency or fatigue.
Millions of Americans are still out of work, and the unemployment rate is holding steady in double digits. The recession has touched every sector of the economy, and the construction industry has been hit especially hard. It took years of failed policies to create the worse economic crisis since the Great Depression, and we cannot expect one small burst of legislation to turn it around. It will take a relentless focus on putting people back to work, because - and this sounds rudimentary - the only way to dig out of this recession is by creating new jobs.
New Law Affects Multi-Employer Pension Plans
on June 25, 2010, President Obama signed the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 (The Act) into law. The Act will temporarily reduce the required contributions to multiemployer pension plans by allowing sponsors to recognize the losses suffered in 2008 and 2009 over longer periods of time. The net effect of this change will enable plans to defer a portion of the contribution increases and/or benefit reductions that would have otherwise been required immediately to meet the plans’ funding improvement or rehabilitation plan targets. The Act contains several provisions that will provide funding relief to multiemployer pension plans. Plans are required to pass a solvency test in order to access any of these relief provisions, and plans that elect any of the provisions are subject to a restriction on benefit increases. Primary Provisions
President Obama's Workers Memorial Day Proclamation
This year marks the 40th anniversary of both the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, which promise American workers the right to a safe workplace and require employers to provide safe conditions. Yet, today, we remain too far from fulfilling that promise. On Workers Memorial Day, we remember all those who have died, been injured, or become sick on the job, and we renew our commitment to ensure the safety of American workers.
Thune Amendment Defeated
By a vote of 38-61, Senator John Thune's (R-SD) amendment to strip Davis-Bacon from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was defeated. The amendment, attached to the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, was introduced in the Senate Wednesday.
President Ayers Joins Congressional Leaders in a Call to "Re-Build" with Green Jobs
On November 18th, BCTD President Mark Ayers joined Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) and a coalition of business, labor and consumer advocates in a call to action to address America’s immediate needs for job creation and energy security. The “Re-Building America” initiative is designed to push the “restart” button the current energy debate and get our policymakers focused on building a cleaner energy future that saves and creates millions of American jobs. The initiative is designed to foster a national commitment to “retro-fit” 50 million commercial buildings for increased energy efficiencies.
Congress Extends Unemployment Benefits
The United States Senate voted unanimously on November 4th to extend unemployment benefits by as much as 14 weeks to out-of-work Americans who have exhausted their jobless benefits or would do so by year’s end.
Time For True Pension Reform
The president and Congress understandably have been preoccupied with fixing the economy and reforming health care. The nation will not achieve lasting economic growth, however, unless the president and Congress do something to permanently ensure the economic security of America’s current and future retirees.
House Passes Economic Stimulus Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on January 28 approved, by a vote of 244-188, an $819 billion stimulus package designed to get the American economy moving again.
Building Trades Secure Victories on Davis-Bacon and PLAs
America’s Building Trades Unions are working diligently with the new Obama Administration, and the US Congress, to move policy and legislative proposals that will provide immediate assistance to our nation’s economy, and protect the interests of US workers.
TRCP Releases 2009 Policy Agenda
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) has released its 2009 Conservation Policy Agenda, which represents the consensus priorities of its wide-ranging partners.