Whether lobbying Congress with our partners at Jones Walker, or education on pressing industry legal issues from our general counsel, Jeff King, the WFCA is committed to championing the causes and issues that are important to you as a retailer. See below for the current issues impacting your business and how you can help to make your voice heard on the hill.
With the decrease in the demand for office space in the aftermath of COVID-19, the federal government and local cities like Philadelphia, New York, San Fransisco, and Los Angeles, are actively working to convert vacant office space into residential. A new federal funding guidebook is available (Link: Commercial to Residential Conversions: A Guidebook to Available Federal Resources) detailing federal resources available to facilitate the development of affordable housing through conversions.
These conversion programs may provide opportunities for flooring dealers. WFCA will continue to provide information on these opportunities. In addition, please contact our legal counsel, Jeffrey King at the law firm Jones Walker (jking@joneswalker.com) if you need any additional assistance or information regarding participating these programs.
As you may know, over 98% of all businesses are “pass-through” businesses that benefit from the 20% tax deduction on qualifying income. Most WFCA members benefit from the pass-through deduction. The pass-through deduction is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, and small businesses will be forced to reduce wages or eliminate jobs.
On May 24th, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), along with Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) and 12 Senate colleagues listed below introduced the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.
List of Cosponsors:
- Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)
- Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY)
- Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
- Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
- Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS)
- Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID)
- Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
- Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL)
- Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN)
- Sen. Bill Haggerty (R-TN)
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)
This bill would make permanent the 20% pass-through deduction on qualifying income included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. To read a press release from Sen. Cassidy’s office explaining the bill, click here.
If your home state Senator is not on the list of sponsors, we encourage you to call their office and ask them to cosponsor the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to protect small businesses in the flooring industry. If your home state Senator is on the list above, they are a current cosponsor of this important legislation, and a call to their office thanking them would be welcome.
To find your Senator’s office contact information, visit this link: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm or contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard operator who can connect you directly with the Senate office at 202-224-3121.
The U.S. Senate is currently debating the nomination of Julie Su to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). As explained below, her record as the Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor raises concerns for small business owners.
The WFCA is requesting that you contact your Senators and urge then to oppose Ms. Su’s nomination. You simply need to call or text each office and explain:
The U.S. Senate is currently debating the nomination of Julie Su to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). As a small business owner and job creator, I have serious concerns with Julie Su’s nomination for Labor Secretary, and I would urge Senator [Name] to oppose her nomination.
Overview of Concerns Regarding Ms. Su’s Nomination:
As Secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Ms. Su’s actions were not friendly to small businesses.
- Ms. Su was instrumental in the implementation of AB 5 —the controversial law that implemented the most restrictive standard for independent contractors, and effectively threatens to reclassified independent contractor as employees in the state of California.
- Ms. Su also oversaw the Employment Development Department (EDD), the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) program, which paid out at least $31 billion in fraudulent payments, more than double the annual budget of the agency she will be responsible for managing. The California State Auditor found that, “Despite repeated warnings, EDD did not bolster its fraud detection efforts until months into the pandemic, and it suspended a critical safeguard.”
- Ms. Su’s unsuccessful negotiation between rail employers and rail unions required Congress to step in and resolve the dispute.
Ms. Su’s tenure as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor has also raised questions.
- Ms. Su is overseeing the development of independent contractor rule at DOL, that would make independent contractors employees simply because they were required to “comply with legal obligations, safety standards,” or developed and maintained a business relationship with a retailer. The proposed rule also requires a contractor make investment in its business, but excludes tools and equipment as part of the investment.
- Ms. Su also supports a new joint employer rule that would impact the almost 800,000 franchises operating in our communities.
- During Ms. Su’s tenure at DOL, she has had quarterly check-ins with a variety of other labor groups, but has had a single meeting with a private-sector employer.
WFCA needs your help in protecting against these policies that are likely to adversely impact flooring retailers and contractors.
To find your Senator’s office contact information, visit this link: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm or contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard operator who can connect you directly with the Senate office at 202-224-3121.
