Situational Awareness
The House and Senate are in session this week. The House is on track to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package by the end of the week and the Senate is processing nominations.
COVID-19 Relief Package
The House Budget Committee will be marking up the $1.9 trillion relief package today and is expected to pass it without significant changes. With a successful committee vote today, the House is likely to pass the bill by the end of this week. While the language of the bill opens up the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to all 501(c) organizations, longstanding regulations from the Small Business Administration will likely prevent social and recreational clubs from participating in the program if those organizations limit the size of their membership for reasons other than capacity. NCA has been working with House Democratic leadership over the weekend to gauge the possibility of amending the provision to provide more assured access to the PPP for clubs, but changes to the language are unlikely at this point. Once the legislation is passed by the House it will be sent to the Senate for consideration and it is likely changes will be made to the bill before passage. NCA has also been working with key Senate offices to raise our concerns with the PPP language and urges members to contact your senators to ask for changes to ensure clubs have access to the program by using the sample language provided here.
Minimum Wage Increase Drawing Senate Opposition
With the House of Representatives poised to pass a COVID relief package containing an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, the provision is drawing opposition from two moderate Democrats in the Senate. Senators Joe Manchin (D – W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D – Ariz.) have expressed concerns about the increase. Though both senators support an increase in the minimum wage, Senator Manchin supports an increase to $11 an hour and Sinema has expressed opposition to including it in a COVID relief package. NCA opposed legislation in the previous Congress to increase the wage to $15 an hour believing the legislation raised the wage too high at a pace too fast for clubs to adapt without disruption. The House is poised to pass the COVID relief package this week and the Senate is aiming to complete its its work on the package by March 14, 2021.
Economic Recovery Next Major Pushto Allow Remote Electronic Union Elections
Sources indicate congressional Democrats are already planning another package aimed at economic recovery that will focus on items such as infrastructure, health care and a public-sector jobs program. The package is likely to exceed the $1.9 trillion cost of the COVID relief bill. The White House and congressional Democrats are eyeing completion of the package before the August district work period. The bulk of the package is expected to contain funding for infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and rural broadband internet access. These are all area that have been discussed for some time as an area of potential bipartisan agreement for increased investment.
Employer Responsibilities Post Vaccination
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) are advising employers to not change social distancing and mask requirements even after employees have been vaccinated. While the distancing and masking practices are to remain in place, the agencies have indicated vaccinated workers will not have to quarantine unless the employee is displaying symptoms of COVID-19, received the second dose of vaccine at least two weeks prior to exposure and less than three months has passed since the second dose.
Webinar: Social Clubs and the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Are you taking advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit? On March 4 at 2pm ET, Condon O’Meara McGinty & Donnelly tax experts will answer your questions about effectively using the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). Presenters will clarify questions about club qualification regarding gross receipts and interpretation of “operations fully or partially suspended,” among other FAQs related to the ERTC extension and expansion under the Disaster Relief Act. NCA members can participate for free by signing up here. Nonmember pricing is $99.
Early Bird Pricing Ends 2/28 for 2021 National Club Conference
Enjoy reduced rates for the 17th National Club Conference, held May 23-25 at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla., by registering by Sunday, February 28. The industry’s most exciting conference features premier social events and a star-studded lineup including Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and Syndicated Columnist and Political Pundit Cal Thomas. Register and learn more here.