Press release issued 10/ 20/ 17
http://lni.wa.gov/News/2017/pr171020a.asp
Tumwater – Mandatory paid sick leave in Washington starts in just over two months. This week, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) released new state requirements on how the paid sick leave law will be implemented.
As a result of voter-approved Initiative 1433, employers are required to provide paid sick leave starting Jan. 1, 2018.
"This is a big change, so we made sure people had every chance to weigh in on the rules and let us know the potential impacts," said L&I Assistant Director of Fraud Prevention & Labor Standards Elizabeth Smith. "Now that they're final, the next step is to make sure that employers know what's required so they can be ready when the new law takes effect on January 1."
The newly adopted rules provide details on how the law will be carried out, covering topics like how employees accrue paid sick leave, what they can use it for, when they can use it, and how to calculate rates of pay for paid sick leave.
The new requirements are the result of a rulemaking process carried out by L&I over several months. The agency held informal meetings to gather public ideas and thoughts on implementing the new law. Then, after drafting the proposed rule, L&I held four public hearings around the state and took numerous written comments. L&I Director Joel Sacks signed the final rules this week.
Statewide outreach and media campaign to raise awareness
L&I is working with numerous organizations around the state to help employers get ready. In November, new L&I tools and resources will be available online, including templates for paid sick leave policies. L&I is also launching a statewide paid media campaign in November including TV, radio, social media and other online ads, which will run through early 2018.
Enforcement phase of rulemaking underway now
A second phase of rulemaking on mandatory paid sick leave is just getting underway. It will detail how the new law will be enforced. This process also offers opportunities to provide input, including two public hearings in November. The deadline for public comment is November 17.
Along with mandatory paid sick leave, Initiative 1433 also increases the state minimum wage annually over the next three years. In 2018, the state minimum wage will climb to $11.50 an hour. The initiative also ensures employers pay their employees tips and service charges.
MONDAY'S BUSINESS AND FINANCE REPORT
Beyond Silicon Valley: Tech’s Best HubsUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BLOG POST
By, Thomas J. Donohue
President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/beyond-silicon-valley-tech-s-best-hubs
By now everyone is aware that we are in the midst of a digital revolution. Innovative technology startups are changing everything from the way we monitor our health to the way our children learn to the way we power our cars, homes, and lives. This revolution is transforming our entire economy, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is working to ensure that every city and town across America enjoys the benefits the digital economy has to offer.
In pursuit of this goal, we partnered with D.C.-based startup incubator network 1776 to release the third edition of our Innovation That Matters report, which examines the health of the startup communities in 25 American cities and assesses their readiness to capitalize on the shift to a more digital economy. In this study, we placed a unique emphasis on what we refer to as “next-wave startups,” or those that are developing the next big breakthroughs in complex industries such as health, energy, and education.
Topping the list of the most innovation-friendly cities are Boston, the Bay Area, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Austin. These cities foster innovative cultures and embrace cutting-edge technologies, and in return, they reap the rewards of economic vibrancy and an improved quality of life. We also saw several cities in the top 10 improve dramatically since our Innovation That Matters report in 2016. Atlanta jumped 15 spots to No. 6, and Dallas moved 12 places to No 7.
All 25 cities included in the rankings have well-established and growing startup communities, which means they are already good examples of how to attract and benefit from innovative new companies. Now, the Chamber Technology Engagement Center, or C_TEC, is working to spread the word about these successes around the country so that other cities can create connections, foster collaboration between local stakeholders, and avoid missing out on the extraordinary benefits of our new economy.
C_TEC pursues public policy solutions for the challenges companies and cities face. It brings together leaders from government and business to explore new ideas, including through events like TecNation—a conference it hosted last week. Innovation That Matters offers insights into the important issues facing tech and America. It will help civic leaders discover what works, where their cities’ efforts are falling short, and how they can create stronger ecosystems that benefit startups, institutions, government, and citizens.
US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Next Stop: Senate Vote on Tax Reform Vehicle
On the road to pro-growth tax reform, Tuesday was an important mile marker. Senators passed the motion to proceed on the FY18 budget resolution and shored up support from a couple wavering lawmakers.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/next-stop-senate-vote-tax-reform-vehicle
US DEPT. OF LABOR BLOG POST: Apprenticeship and the American Dream
Blog posted on 10/ 23/ 17
https://blog.dol.gov/2017/10/20/apprenticeship-and-american-dream
Today there are more than 6 million job openings in the United States, and more than 500,000 people with disabilities are seeking jobs.
What this tells us is that job creators are ready to hire, and there is a tremendous opportunity to increase the number of disabled individuals in the workforce. But there is a gap between the jobs that are available and the workers who have the right skills to fill them.
Across the U.S. Department of Labor, and especially at the Office of Disability Employment Policy, we work to fully integrate people with disabilities into the labor force and empower all Americans with resources to succeed.
To overcome this skills gap, we need demand-driven education. Apprenticeships are an example of demand-driven education because they directly connect students with employers, and combine paid work experience with an education.
Derek Schwartz is one example. After graduating from high school, the Philadelphia native applied to the Urban Technology Project program and began working as a paid IT apprentice at Central High School. In addition to a paycheck, the program gave Derek real-world experience, which led to his recent employment as a help desk analyst at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Now he’s working in a job he loves, with a significant salary increase.
“Apprenticeship is an excellent learning opportunity and an effective alternative to college,” said Derek, who is hard of hearing. “It has taught me not only a lot about computers and the upkeep tasks involved, but also how to be professional in the working world as a person with a disability.”
There are a number of advantages for apprentices, including high-wage jobs. The average starting salary for a graduate of an apprenticeship program is $60,000 – well above the national median for all occupations and higher than the average starting salary of a four-year college graduate.
And because apprenticeships typically combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training, they’re an appealing option for people who want to pursue a career without incurring student debt.
Also, apprentices usually work alongside a skilled employee or mentor during the on-the-job component. Learning directly from someone who is successful in their chosen field can benefit apprentices from different backgrounds and educational experiences – including people with disabilities, women, and other under-represented populations – who may not see themselves reflected in that field’s current workforce.
President Trump’s recent Executive Order on apprenticeships directs the Department of Labor to promote development of apprenticeship programs by third parties, such as trade and industry groups, companies, nonprofits, and unions.
Apprenticeship programs such as these should and will be open to all workers regardless of disability. All Americans need the opportunity to gain the skills they need to fill the jobs of the 21st Century.
Watch our video series to see how apprenticeship can work for everyone, and connect with opportunities to participate in or sponsor a program at www.dol.gov/apprenticeship.
US TREASURY DEPT: Joint Statement of Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, and Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, on Budget Results for Fiscal Year 2017
Press release issued 10/ 20/ 17
https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/sm0184.aspx
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney today released details of the fiscal year (FY) 2017 final budget results. The deficit in FY 2017 was $666 billion, $80 billion more than in the prior fiscal year, but $36 billion less than forecast in the FY 2018 Mid-Session Review (MSR). As a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the deficit was 3.5 percent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the previous year.[1]
Growth in spending outpaced growth in tax receipts for the second year in a row as a result of historically subpar economic growth. Rising deficits show that smart spending restraint and pursuing policies that promote economic growth, like tax reform and reductions in regulatory burden, are critically necessary to promote long-term fiscal sustainability.
“Today’s budget results underscore the importance of achieving robust and sustained economic growth. Through a combination of tax reform and regulatory relief, this country can return to higher levels of GDP growth, helping to erase our fiscal deficit,” said Secretary Mnuchin. “The Administration’s pro-growth policies will create better, higher-paying jobs, make American businesses competitive again, and bring back cash from offshore to invest here at home. This will help place the nation on a path to improved fiscal health and create prosperity for generations to come.”
“These numbers should serve as a smoke alarm for Washington, a reminder that we need to grow our economy again and get our fiscal house in order. We can do that through smart spending restraint, tax reform, and cutting red tape,” said Director Mulvaney.
US COMMERCE DEPT: U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping Duty Investigations of Imports of Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India and the People’s Republic of China and a Countervailing Duty Investigation of Imports of Polytetrafluoroethylene Resin from India
Press release issued 10/ 19/ 20
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2017/10/us-department-commerce-initiates-antidumping-duty-investigations-impor-0
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of new antidumping duty (AD) investigations to determine whether imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from the People’s Republic of China (China) and India are being dumped in the United States, and a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation to determine whether producers of PTFE resin in India are receiving alleged unfair subsidies.
“The Department will act swiftly, while assuring a full and fair assessment of the facts, to ensure that everyone trades on a level playing field,” said Secretary Ross. “The Trump administration is committed to the enforcement of America’s vital trade laws that ensure U.S. businesses and workers have a fair chance to compete.”
These AD and CVD investigations were initiated based on petitions filed by the Chemours Company FC LLC (DE) on September 28. The estimated dumping margins alleged by the petitioner range from 23.4 to 408.9 percent and 15.8 to 128.1 percent for China and India, respectively and the unfair subsidies are estimated to be above de minimis for India.
In the AD investigations, the Commerce Department will determine whether imports of PTFE resin from China and India are being dumped in the U.S. market at less than fair value.
In the CVD investigation, the Commerce Department will determine whether Indian producers of PTFE resin are receiving unfair government subsidies.
If the Commerce Department determines that PTFE resin from China and India is being dumped into the U.S. market and India is providing unfair government subsidies, and if the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determines that dumped and/or unfairly subsidized U.S. imports of PTFE resin from China and India are causing injury to the U.S. industry, the Commerce Department will impose duties on those imports in the amount of dumping and/or unfair subsidization found to exist.
WORLD AND NATIONAL HEADLINES FROM REUTERS...
North Korea threat is 'critical, imminent,' Japan tells U.S., South KoreaCLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines (Reuters) - The threat from North Korea has grown to a “critical and imminent level” and the United States, Japan and South Korea must address the matter, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told his U.S. and South Korean counterparts in talks on Monday.
Philippines declares battle with Islamist rebels over in Marawi City
MARAWI CITY/CLARK, Philippines (Reuters) - The Philippines on Monday announced the end of five months of military operations in a southern city held by pro-Islamic State rebels, after a fierce and unfamiliar urban war that has marked the country’s biggest security crisis in years.
U.S. Army deserter Bergdahl's sentencing hearing delayed until Wednesday
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Reuters) - The sentencing hearing for U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who could go to prison for life for deserting his duties in Afghanistan in June 2009 and endangering the lives of fellow troops, was postponed on Monday for two days due to an emergency for a lawyer in the case.
New Jersey's Murphy echoes Sanders in Democratic bid for governor
EDISON, N.J. (Reuters) - Phil Murphy, a wealthy former Goldman Sachs investment banker, might seem an unlikely champion of the working and middle classes.
Daily Bible Verse: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NKJV
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