COVID-19
Federal Relief – The U.S. Congress is on the verge of recessing until Election Day. A breakthrough in negotiations on the next relief package still remains elusive and moderate voices within each caucus have called upon leadership of their respective parties to come back to the bargaining table. The president has indicated he’s eager for an outcome and would be supportive of a compromise, bipartisan bill. Congressional leadership from either party is unwilling to budge – either as a matter of strategy or because they cannot whip the necessary votes from either wing of the parties (or possibly both).
Surcharges – We previously reported that some restaurants have been applying COVID-19 surcharges or fees to customers’ bills. Now, New York City has enacted an optional fee up to 10 percent that independent restaurants can apply to customers’ bills if they choose. The surcharge is intended to offset increased costs due to the pandemic and sunsets in 90 days.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
CDC – A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report determined that adults who contract COVID-19 are twice as likely as the general population to have eaten at a restaurant in the two weeks beforehand.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Wages
Florida – A new poll released by Monmouth University shows that two-thirds of Florida voters support a 2020 ballot initiative to gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Burlingame, CA – The city council voted to expedite by two years the scheduled statewide increase to $15/hr by 2023.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Las Cruces, NM – Next week, the city council will consider boosting next year’s local minimum wage based on CPI data.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Hobby Lobby – The retailer announced it will raise its starting wage for full-time workers to $17/hr effective Oct. 1.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Walmart – The retailer will raise wages for nearly 1 percent of its workforce. The starting wage for bakery and deli employees will now be $15/hr. Auto center employees will receive a more modest increase and the company is creating a new “team leader” role that starts $18 to $21/hr and can go up to $30/hr.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Paid Leave
Maine – The state officially concluded the process of writing the rules for the paid leave law passed in 2019. It will be effective this coming Jan. Maine is the first state to require paid leave for any reason.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Oregon – This week, the state’s new paid leave program went live. Workers who are quarantined or taking care of a family member who is quarantined will receive $120/day for up to 10 days for the time that they are required to be quarantined.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Virginia – A senate committee overwhelmingly defeated a bill providing two weeks of paid quarantine leave for workers who test positive for COVID-19.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
PL+US Action Fund – An issue advocacy group, the Paid Leave for the U.S. (PL+US) Action Fund, launched a new national ad campaign in North Carolina, Iowa and Arizona. The group claims that the digital and TV ad buy is one of the largest investments ever in direct voter education on the issue of paid leave.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Labor Policy
U.S. House – The House approved legislation that would require employers with 15 or more workers to provide reasonable accommodations to help pregnant workers continue working.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
EEOC – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may soon have a full five members for the first time under the Trump Administration. The Senate Majority Leader filed cloture this week on the nominations of Keith Sonderling and Andrea Lucas to fill the roles of two Republican commissioners, as well as the nomination of civil rights attorney Jocelyn Samuels for a Democratic seat on the commission.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Delivery
Cincinnati, OH – Next week, the city council will consider an additional 120-day extension of the current emergency order capping third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Denver, CO – The city council considered a proposal to cap third-party delivery fees at 15 percent.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Alcohol
Oregon – The state Liquor Control Commission voted to make permanent temporary rules put in place at the start of the coronavirus pandemic allowing for the home delivery of alcohol.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Survey – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) survey shows record low prevalence of alcohol consumption amongst American youth, continuing a steady decline across all prevalence rates measured that has led to nearly 3 million fewer underage drinkers and 2.2 million fewer binge drinkers over the past 10 years.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe
Taxes
New Jersey – As part of the state budget deal, the state lowered the threshold of the existing “millionaires tax” of 10.75% from earners over $5 million to earners over $1 million. The tax hike is expected to raise close to an additional $400 million annually.To Access Align's Analysis: Log In or Subscribe