COVID-19
Federal Relief – Next week, the House Budget Committee will begin marking up the final version of the $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Nine other house committees have concluded their work on the various component parts and the budget committee will work to pull those pieces into one bill. Still at issue is which particular components will be deemed appropriate for inclusion in the reconciliation process, namely the proposed $15/hr minimum wage mandate and provisions expanding paid leave. Both the wage and leave provisions are struggling to gain the necessary political support, especially in the Senate, and may not make it into this stimulus package. More details.
Paycheck Protection Program – Legislation to exempt PPP and CARES Act funds from state income taxes passed both houses of the Alabama legislature. The bill is on its way to the governor’s desk for her expected signature. More details.
Liability – The Alabama Governor signed legislation providing immunity for covered entities from the “actual, alleged or feared exposure to or contraction of” COVID-19 unless the plaintiff can demonstrate by “clear and convincing evidence” that the covered entity acted with wanton, reckless, willful or intentional conduct in failing to comply with then applicable healthcare or governmental guidance. More details.
Wages
Federal – Press reports indicate that President Biden has privately confided to governors and mayors that a minimum wage increase via reconciliation is unlikely, further dimming chances for an increase to $15/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
U.S. Senate – Two Republicans, Sens. Mitt Romney and Tom Cotton, announced plans to introduce additional minimum wage legislation next week.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Montana – Legislation to raise the minimum wage to $12/hr by 2024 was narrowly defeated in a senate committee.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Burien, WA – The recently-enacted hazard pay requirement of an additional $5/hr in pay for grocery workers took effect. In response, two grocery industry trade associations filed suit alleging that the ordinance violates the U.S. Constitution by singling out some grocers and ignoring other groups of frontline workers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Kroger – As a direct result of Seattle’s new hazard pay ordinance calling for a $4/hr pay increase for grocery workers, the company announced the closure of two of its Seattle Quality Food Center locations.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Walmart – The company announced it will give 425,000 employees a raise, a move that will increase its average pay to above $15/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Los Angeles, CA – The mayor updated his paid leave emergency order to cover workers who have worked at least 60 days at large businesses and nonprofits with more than 500 employees in the city or more than 2,000 employees nationwide.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
NLRB – President Biden will nominate Jennifer Abruzzo, a lawyer for the Communication Workers of America, to serve as general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Jimmy John’s – An Illinois court approved a negotiated $1.8 million settlement regarding wage and hour claims brought forth by employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Uber – The U.K. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Uber drivers should be classified as “workers” and not self-employed, in a decision that threatens its business model and holds broader implications for the so-called gig economy.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Florida – A senate committee advanced legislation allowing restaurants to include alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Missouri – Legislation advanced out of a house committee allowing customers to carry-out unfinished drinks in sealed containers.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
New Mexico – A house committee passed legislation allowing home delivery of alcoholic beverages and creating a new category of restaurant liquor licenses that modifies beer and wine licenses to include spirits.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Oklahoma – A senate committee passed legislation allowing third-party vendors to deliver alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
South Carolina – Two bills allowing for same-day delivery and curbside pickup of beer and wine, but not liquor, were passed out of a house committee, sending both the alcohol-related bills to the house floor for debate.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Virginia – The state senate unanimously passed legislation allowing restaurants, bars and distilleries to sell cocktails to-go.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Tifton, GA – The city council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing for the home delivery of alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Misc.
California – Legislation was introduced in the senate that would decriminalize numerous psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, DMT, and mescaline for personal and therapeutic use.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe