Welcome to the ISSA Advocacy Recap, our regular roundup of the latest public policy issues impacting the cleaning industry. This week’s recap touches on ISSA and its coalition partners calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to support the bipartisan Healthy Workplaces Act, cleaning industry leaders reporting on the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, states’ tax treatment of PPP loans, and more.

Coalition Urges President Biden to Support Healthy Workplace Tax Credit
ISSA joined more than 50 associations representing millions of employees and many millions more customers in urging U.S. President Joe Biden to include the bipartisan Healthy Workplaces Act (S. 537 and H.R. 1944) in the next federal legislative package to protect the safety of workers, customers, and the public. Sponsored by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) and Rob Portman (OH) in the Senate and Representatives Tom Rice (SC), Stephanie Murphy (FL), Darin LaHood (IL), and Jimmy Panetta (CA) in the House of Representatives, this critical legislation would create a targeted and temporary tax credit available to businesses and nonprofits for qualified expenses.

Cleaning Industry Leaders Report on ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit
Two ISSA member-company representatives recently participated in the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, held virtually March 30-31, 2021. They both engaged the program with the goal of participating and making a difference in advocacy as it affects the cleaning industry. In an episode of ISSA Media’s Straight Talk!, Lauren Smith, business development manager with Crescent Cleaning Company, and Rebecca Kaufold, manager of government affairs and sustainability with Spartan Chemical Co., share their experiences and perspectives.

PPP Loan Forgiveness May Not Be Tax-Free for Everyone
Your state may force you to pay income taxes on forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan amounts, which could be substantial depending on how much you were awarded, Forbes reports. Taylor English law partner Christina Moore points out some states are still making changes in terms of tax treatment for PPP loans. For example, California changed course on April 28, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that would allow most California businesses that received a forgiven PPP loan to avoid taxes on forgiven amounts if they can show at least a 25% reduction in profits for at least one quarter as a result of the pandemic. On March 15, Virginia signed into law a bill that excludes forgiven PPP loans from taxable income. This new legislation also offers specific deductions up to US$100,000 in expenses paid using forgiven PPP loans.

States Ease COVID-19 Restrictions
While citizens and businesses alike clamor for the economy to fully reopen, President Biden has continued to urge states to exercise caution when lifting COVID-19 restrictions, according to JD Supra. Weighing in, federal health experts have estimated that in order for the country to reopen safely, approximately 70%-90% of the population must be immune to the virus. Currently, only between 20%-30% of Americans are fully vaccinated, although that number is rising swiftly. Nonetheless, states are rapidly reducing their respective COVID-19 restrictions or removing them entirely. Since March 1, 2021, 37 states relaxed COVID-19 restrictions or announced upcoming reductions. Many of these states replaced “requirements” with “recommendations” and emphasized the importance of personal responsibility as opposed to government action in combatting the spread of the virus moving forward.

Other links of interest

• U.S. Labor Department Withdraws Independent Contractor Rule
• U.S. Trade Chief Sees ‘Frank and Honest’ Discussion on USMCA Deal
• New York HERO Act Mandates New COVID-19 Workplace Protections and Joint Labor-Management Workplace Safety Committees
• Minimum Wage in Virginia Rises to US$9.50
• Missouri House Backs Bill Limiting COVID-19 Lawsuits