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ISSA Advocacy Recap—The New York HERO Act and the Cleaning Industry

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 the recently enacted New York HERO Act, some states ending their participation in unemployment assistance programs, the PPP running out of funds, and more.

The New York HERO Act and the Cleaning Industry: A Legislative Summary
On April 20, the New York legislature passed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act, S. 1034B). New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation into law on May 5. The HERO Act will take effect 30 days after the Governor’s signature. This ISSA article summarizes the new state law, which has implications for New York employers and employees, as well as for the cleaning industry.

U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to 473K as More GOP Governors Bar Aid
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen, ABC News reported. The decline—the fourth in the past five weeks—coincides with a number of states that have blamed expanded jobless benefits for a slowdown in hiring and are acting to cut off the additional aid.

PPP out of Money for Most Borrowers
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has run out of money for most borrowers before its planned May 31 end, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) said and CNBC reported. Going forward, the program will only accept new applications from community financial institutions, which typically serve minority borrowers, as about US$8 billion in funding was set aside for such businesses. The SBA will continue to fund outstanding approved PPP applications from other lenders but will not accept any new applicants.

Other links of interest

U.S. Senate Panel Approves Tech Bill to Address China

States Begin Lifting Mask Mandates

Upcoming Revisions to California’s COVID-19 Emergency Rule

Cal/OSHA Issues Guidance on Fully Vaccinated Employees

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