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.