News

ISSA LARU—Advocating for Healthy Spaces

Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public-policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning supply chain. This update touches on ISSA’s leadership in advocating for healthy workspaces, two upcoming ISSA advocacy events, and more.

Want to stay informed about critical government affairs impacting the industry? Sign up here to have the ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update emailed directly to you every other week.

And be sure to check out the latest installment of our video series, Cleaning Is Essential, with ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft, to learn more about the top three advocacy issues impacting the cleaning industry right now.

ISSA Advocacy

Advocating for Healthy Workplaces
“Since ISSA launched its Healthy and Safe Workplace Tax Credit advocacy campaign two years ago, the association has seen incredible advocacy engagement from the cleaning community,” according to ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft in this latest article highlighting the association’s leadership in advocating for healthy spaces. To date, 836 cleaning industry advocates have sent more than 5,000 messages to nearly every member of Congress, urging them to support this legislation. Their voices made clear to Congress the significant role that the cleaning industry plays in advancing and maintaining healthy workplaces.

A Clean View from Capitol Hill: Your Legislative & Regulatory Update
Save your seat for the free ISSA webinar A Clean View from Capitol Hill: Your Legislative & Regulatory Update, 12 pm to 1 pm CT on Wednesday, August 17. Now more than ever, government affairs impact your business and the cleaning industry. As the spotlight on our industry increases, so too has the interest of policymakers and regulators. Join us for the “inside scoop” about what is going on in Washington, DC and in the states on the top issues facing the industry, such as labor shortages, supply chain challenges, healthy workplace incentives, chemical regulations, and more. Speakers for this webinar include ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft and ISSA Federal Lobbyist Laurie Flanagan.

Hot Topics: Cleaning Products Workshop 2022
Ensure your continued success in the marketplace by attending the Cleaning Products Workshop, a one-day live and in-person event that will address the latest regulatory and sustainability issues along with other trending topics that impact the manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and sale of household and commercial cleaning products. This one-of-a-kind program, presented by HCPA and ISSA, features the following hot topics that will impact your business for years to come:

• Update on packaging
• News from Green Seal, EPA Safer Choice, and ECOLOGO
• Update on California Proposition 65, Short Form Warnings, and other news
• State and federal regulation of PFAS
• VOC regulatory update on states and Canada
• Microplastics and the cleaning industry

This workshop will be conducted in conjunction with ISSA Show North America 2022 on October 10, starting with breakfast at 8 am; the program runs from 9 am to 5 pm at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center. ISSA members should use the promo code “ISSA2022” when registering to receive discounted member pricing.

Regulatory

Costly Fines for Safety Violations Highlight Need for Diligence
Facility managers who fail to properly maintain the cleanliness and safety of their stores can cause serious consequences for customers and employees alike. A recent announcement by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) illustrates how costly such negligence could be for the store’s ownership as well. According to OSHA and as reported by Cleaning & Maintenance Management, twice in the period of a year, a Dollar General store was cited by federal authorities for “endangering its workers’ safety.” OSHA proposes penalties of US$136,741 against Dollar General’s Greencastle, Pennsylvania location.

U.S. Treasury Approves $940 Million in Small Business Capital Funds
The U.S. Treasury Department approved nine state plans for the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) worth US$940 million, bringing total approvals under the COVID-19 recovery venture capital program to $1.5 billion, according to Reuters. The $10 billion SSBCI program aims to address a shortage of capital for new business startups and other small business development, particularly in disadvantaged communities, by attracting $10 of private investment for every $1 of taxpayer funding. The program was reauthorized and expanded as part of last year’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act.

U.S., Canada Demand Trade Dispute Talks over Mexican Energy Policies
The United States and Canada demanded dispute settlement talks with Mexico under a North American trade deal, charging that Mexican energy policies were discriminatory and “undermine” international firms and cross-border supplies, Reuters reported. The request marks the most serious trade fight between Washington and Mexico City since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade took effect two years ago. If unresolved, the dispute could ultimately lead to punitive U.S. tariffs.

Inflation Rose 9.1% in June
Consumers paid significantly higher prices for a variety of goods in June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and as reported by CNBC. The consumer price index, a broad measure of everyday goods and services related to the cost of living, increased 9.1% from a year ago, above the 8.8% Dow Jones estimate. That marked the fastest pace for inflation dating back to November 1981.

State News

Nearly Half of States Raised Their Minimum Wage in 2022
While the federal minimum wage remains US$7.25 an hour—unchanged since 2009—nearly half the states have raised their minimum wage so far this year, according to the Economic Policy Institute and as reported by Route Fifty.

Michigan Judge Strikes Effort to Dampen Minimum Wage Hike
An effort by Republicans in the Michigan Legislature to “weaken minimum wage and sick leave laws was declared unconstitutional,” according to AP. A judge in the Court of Claims threw out changes made in 2018 as Republican Governor Rick Snyder was nearing the end of his term and Democrats prepared to take over top statewide posts. Advocates turned in enough signatures to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2022. There also was a successful petition drive to expand sick leave opportunities. The legislature adopted both in 2018, but lawmakers then returned a few months later and “watered them down” by a simple majority vote. Appeals are likely.