Workforce Committee Sends Ergonomics Bill to Full
House
"Blunt praises AGC members for their strong
support."
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved
(23-18) the Workforce Preservation Act of 1999 (H.R. 987),
without amendment. This clears the way for consideration by
the full House of Representatives later this year. The bill’s
sponsor, Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, praised the hard work and
consistent efforts of AGC members in helping to secure the
more than 155 Republican and Democratic House co-sponsors.
This important legislation would prevent the OSHA from
imposing a comprehensive ergonomics regulation until the
completion of a National Academy of Sciences study on
ergonomics injuries in the workplace. This study would provide
an accurate assessment of which injuries could be prevented
with an ergonomics regulation. OSHA has decided to ignore the
will of the Congress and rush ahead with this broad and
burdensome standard.
OSHA continues to argue, without specific science, that
these changes will not be costly or burdensome. The Small
Business Administration’s Office of Small Business Advocacy
disagrees. These new regulations could lead to job losses,
reduced productivity and perhaps even unexpected injuries
caused by new work practices.
In short, this OSHA proposal will undermine the
safety and health of workers by forcing contractors
to spend limited time and resources on paperwork,
recordkeeping, and other compliance costs that will result
from this Washington-knows-best approach. Contact your
Representative and Senators (202/225-3121), urge them to
oppose this new federal mandate and work with Representative
Blunt to force OSHA to at least wait until this
congressionally-commissioned study is complete.
FHWA Issues Final Guidance: On June 18,
1999, FHWA issued final guidance negotiated with the
Environmental Defense Fund and the Environmental Protection
Agency as to how conformity will be addressed in the wake of a
recent DC Circuit Court decision. The court vacated EPA’s
"grandfather clause" preventing previously approved projects
from going forward if the state submitted a later plan that
did not meet air quality standards or "conformity." The
guidance states that during a conformity lapse: Projects can
go forward if the project began construction before the lapse,
or a right of way offer had been made prior to the lapse; No
new projects can begin during the lapse; Design activities
will be given a 40-day notice to stop work; and, states must
submit a new conformity plan.
House Approves FY 2000 Transportation
Appropriations: By a vote of 429-3, the House
approved the Fiscal Year 2000 Transportation Appropriations
bill. The bill provides $29 billion for the highway program,
including $27.7 billion for the core program. Highway funding
is increased by over $2 billion from this year and the
"firewalls" established in TEA-21 are working. The Airport
Improvement Program (AIP) is funded at $2.25 billion, which is
an increase of $300 million over this year. The Senate may
take up its bill next week or shortly after the July 4th
recess.
AGC Tax Committee Lobbies Congress on the Death
Tax: Members of the AGC Tax and Fiscal Affairs
Committee descended on Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to
"Demolish the Death Tax". AGC members heard from Senator John
Kyl, who is currently circulating a letter to his colleagues
that calls on Majority Leader Trent Lott and Finance Committee
Chairman Bill Roth to include his death tax elimination bill,
S. 1128 in the GOP tax package. S. 1128 fully and immediately
eliminated the death tax but requires payment of capital gains
taxes using the original cost basis when inherited assets are
sold. This bill now has bipartisan support.
Managed Care Reform Heats Up in Senate:
Senate Democrats this week carried out their threat to try to
add their Patients’ Bill of Rights Act (S.6) to any bill
considered on the Senate floor. Though unsuccessful, the
Democrats intend to try again unless an agreement can be
reached with the GOP over Senate debate on the bill. AGC sent
a letter to the full Senate opposing S. 6, as its mandates
will increase health care premiums.