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Legislative Update - For the Week of May 17, 2010
Click here to access the 2010 SHRM/WA State Council Legislative Update!
Click here for the latest Government Affairs SHRM HR Issues Update News!
Click here for the Revised COBRA Subsidy Model Notices - March 19, 2010.
Click here for the President's Healthcare Reform Proposal from Feb. 23, 2010.
Hello all my Advocacy Friends!
I just wanted to pass along some information about what’s going on in the other Washington. And below this is a bunch of information forwarded from SHRM regarding the Health Care Reform Act. They’ve provided some links to the information to make it easier to find.
FIRST However I want to provide a little more information about the new SHRM Advocacy efforts! As you probably already know, Washington State has been selected to be in the first round of states in which the new program will be implemented. The programs is intended to create a culture of member engagement in the HR public policy process on both the federal and state levels. In brief, this effort is designed to identify at least one HR Advocate/precinct captain in each of the 435 congressional districts throughout the country. The role a HR Advocate/precinct captain is a simple one – to serve as the face of HR in that specific congressional district and the point of contact for SHRM’s Government Affairs team when the need for in-district advocacy arises.
An HR Advocate/precinct captain would be supported by other advocates within the congressional district who are also SHRM members. These members, in turn, would be asked to reach out to either a federal or state legislature in their area and be willing to organize (with our assistance) a face-to-face meeting with a legislator(s) this year to acquaint them with the role HR professionals play in today’s workplace, as well as discuss a public policy issue or two that is current. SHRM’s Government Affairs Team stands ready to assist you and/or these advocates in making this effort a success.
** What I need from you**
Please submit to me the names (and contact info) of anyone, including yourself, who might be interested in participating in this exciting program.
Legislative Summary:
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Recent Senate Votes
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Shelby-Dodd Amendment; Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 - Vote Agreed to (93-5, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate voted to remove a part of the financial reform bill that would have created a $50 billion fund for the FDIC to cover the cost of liquidating failing financial companies. The Senate voted on several other amendments, and will continue its work on the bill.
Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 - Vote Rejected (56-42, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate failed for a third time last week to approve this procedural motion and begin floor debate on this legislation to overhaul financial regulations. However, it appears the Senate will proceed to floor debate this week and begin voting on amendments to the bill.
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Recent House Votes
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Home Star Energy Retrofit Act - Vote Passed (246-161, 23 Not Voting)
The House passed this measure that would authorize a $6.6 billion rebate program for energy-efficient home renovations for households with incomes up to $250,000. The bill now goes to the Senate.
IMPROVE Acquisition Act of 2010 - Vote Passed (417-3, 10 Not Voting)
The House overwhelmingly passed this measure that would require the Defense Department to develop a system with specific metrics, including targeted schedules and cost objectives, for the acquisition of weapons, information technology and services. It would also direct Defense Department officials to set up a system by 2017 to reward organizations that meet objectives and penalize those that do not. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Puerto Rico Democracy Act - Vote Passed (223-169, 1 Present, 37 Not Voting)
The House approved this bill to establish a two-stage process to determine Puerto Rico's political status. The first step would be a referendum on the question of whether to maintain or change Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth. If a majority of Puerto Ricans were to vote for a new status, then a second vote would be held to ask residents whether they favor statehood, full independence, independence with a special political association with the United States, or to retain the current commonwealth status. The legislation goes to the Senate.
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Upcoming Votes
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Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 - S.3217
The Senate will continue its work on this financial regulatory overhaul legislation.
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 - H.R.5116
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill to reauthorize science and technology research programs.
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Make it a year of Advocacy!
Terri D. Ano, Ph.D., SPHR
WSC – Legislative Director
425.495.2746
Contact your legislator!
Use the www.SHRM.ORG website if you’re writing letters! We want SHRM to know we are participating in the legislative process here in the “other Washington”!
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