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ISSA Advocacy Recap—California Lawmakers Stall on Legislation to Curb Plastic Trash

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 California lawmakers stalling on legislation to curb plastic trash, the House Speaker and Treasury Secretary agreeing to avoid a government shutdown, the economy adding 1.4 million jobs in August, and more.

California Lawmakers Stall on Landmark Legislation to Curb Plastic Trash
An ambitious push to make California the first state to stem the flow of plastic trash by phasing out single-use packaging and food-ware failed amid industry opposition, as state lawmakers adjourned without acting on two far-reaching recycling bills, according to Cal Matters. A third measure calling for more recycled plastic in beverage bottles did get to a vote and pass.

Pelosi, Mnuchin Agree to Avoid Government Shutdown in October
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin agreed to work to avoid a government shutdown right before the election and not let the stalemate over virus-relief legislation hold up a vital stopgap spending bill, Bloomberg News reported. Their informal agreement was made in a Tuesday phone call, according to people familiar with the discussion. While clearing the way for the government to keep running at the October 1 start of the fiscal year, the agreement doesn’t resolve the standoff over a new stimulus or whether some relief measures might be included.

Economy Added 1.4 Million Jobs in August; Unemployment Rate Fell below 10 percent
The U.S. economy added 1.4 million jobs in August, sending the unemployment rate below 10 percent for the first time since the pandemic began, a glimmer of good news as the pandemic continues its march across the country. The unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent. The job gains were driven by hiring in government, particularly temporary U.S. Census workers, who accounted for 238,000 new jobs—more than one out of six of the jobs added overall. Other sectors that have been hard hit by the pandemic showed signs of growth, including retail, which added 249,000 positions, leisure and hospitality, which added 174,000 jobs back (primarily in restaurants, bars and other food establishments), and education and health services, which gained 147,000 jobs.

U.S. Debt Will Overtake GDP Next Year for First Time since 1946, CBO Says
The U.S. debt is projected to exceed the size of the entire country’s economy next year, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said Wednesday. It will be the first time the federal debt could be bigger than the U.S. gross domestic product since 1946, just after World War II, according to CNN. The CBO also projected that the federal budget deficit will hit US$3.3 trillion this year, more than triple the shortfall recorded in 2019. That would be the largest deficit as a percentage of GDP since 1945.

Other links of interest

Over 40 States Preparing to Pay Out Trump’s $300 Unemployment Aid Boost

Senate GOP Poised to Offer Slimmer COVID-19 Relief Bill

U.S. Disasters Cause Insurance Double Whammy for Pandemic-Hit Businesses

Save Your Seat: A Government Affairs Update on the Cleaning Industry & COVID-19

Take Action: Tell Your Elected Officials to ‘Return to the Negotiating Table’