MCAA Weekly Government Affairs Update: January 2, 2008
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEWS
MCAA Meets with US Senator Obama’s Staff over IC Bill
The MCAA Government Affairs team attended a meeting with staff from the Office of United States Senator Barack Obama (D-IL). The purpose of the meeting was for the MCAA to voice its opposition to Senator Obama’s independent contractor legislation, Senate Bill 2044, which was introduced into the United States Senate in September. The MCAA explained that most people in the courier industry are trying to classify their workers correctly but the current law is written in a way that causes unnecessary confusion and uncertainty. Senator Obama’s staff remained firm that anyone misclassifying workers are breaking the law and should be punished under the full extent of the law. They assured us that even if this piece of legislation did not pass, there would be many more anti independent contractor legislation to come in the near future.
MCAA Meets with US House Staff on Capitol Hill
The MCAA Government Affairs team attended two positive meetings with staff from the United States House of Representatives to discuss the courier industry. The meeting took place with staff from the Office of United States Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and the House Committee on Education and Labor (Minority) to educate them on the modern day courier industry along with the problems facing couriers regarding independent contractors.
Independent Contractor Coalition
In early 2008, the MCAA Government Affairs team and the newly rejuvenated Independent Contractor Coalition are planning on meeting with staff from the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. This very important committee is a likely place for independent contractor legislation to originate.
MCAA Congressional Grassroots Program
All current State Captains will be listed in the next issue of the MCAA magazine. All MCAA members are encouraged to take action by contacting the State Captain in their state and asking how to become involved in the Congressional Grassroots Program.
The MCAA is still looking for State Captains in the following states: Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wisconsin.
More information is available at http://www.mcaa.com/government_affairs.html. If you would like to be a State Captain, please contact MCAA Government Affairs Director, John Ferraro, at 202-207-1121.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
United States Senate Bill 2044
Sponsored by Senator Obama (D)
The bill provides changes to the current classification of employees and independent contractors. It provides negatives changes to the IRS safe harbor provision as well as gives the Department of Labor authority to increase enforcement activities. Also encourages information sharing between the Department of Labor, Department of the Treasury, and state agencies. A number of influential Senate Democrats have cosponsored this harmful legislation. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on September 12, 2007.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:S.2044:
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