Taking The Hill
by Stephen B. McDonald Clean Air Hearing
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held the second of a series of public hearings on the proposed new regulations on air quality standards drafted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the proposal, the EPA would impose stricter standards for ozone and for the fine airborne particles some scientists believe are the most dangerous to human health. The proposed regulations could require counties and cities to enact tough new measures to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. An analysis demonstrated that the regulations could impose pollution controls on 250 counties nationwide, more than double the number now dealing with dirty air. Testifying at the hearing, EPA Administrator Carol Browner insisted that the new standards are backed by the most extensive scientific review and public outreach process ever conducted by the EPA for public health standards.
Congress, Clinton Agree On Priorities
Trying to set the stage for bipartisan legislative work, President Clinton and congressional leaders agreed to pursue five issues of potential consensus. They decided to focus at the outset of the 105th Congress on improving education, cutting taxes, creating incentives for businesses to hire welfare recipients, enhancing juvenile justice and aiding the District of Columbia. Overhauling federal campaign finance law, which both the president and Congress had claimed as a priority, did not make the list.
Alvarez As SBA Administrator
The Senate unanimously confirmed Aida Alvarez as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). President Clinton has designated the SBA administrator as a member of both the Cabinet and the White House economic policymaking team. She takes over for outgoing administrator Phil Lader. As chief executive of the SBA, Alvarez will direct an array of financial and business development programs and services designed to promote small businesses. The SBA has about 3,000 full-time employees and 103 field offices throughout the United States and its territories.Team, Comp Time Legislation
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee is scheduled to finalize a bill that would allow companies to form worker-employer teams. The measure, dubbed the TEAM Act, would modify the 1935 National Labor Relations Act to make it clear that businesses can establish worker-management groups to discuss issues such as safety, productivity and quality control. The committee will also mark up legislation that would allow workers to choose compensatory time off instead of overtime pay. The bill would require private sector employers to give their hourly workers a choice between taking "comp" time - calculated at a time-and-a-half rate - for hours worked beyond the traditional 40 hour week or to receive overtime pay. The bill would also allow employees to work 50 hours in one week and 30 hours the next, or to work 40 hours in less than five days.SBLC Celebrates
The Small Business Legislative Council (SBLC) celebrated its 20th year as a leading advocate bridging the small business, association and public policy communities.SBLC, founded in 1977, is a permanent independent coalition of nearly 100 trade and professional associations that share a common commitment to the future of small business. Members represent the interests of small businesses in such diverse economic sectors as manufacturing, retailing, distribution, professional and technical services, construction, transportation, tourism and agriculture.
ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
Automotive Service Network Programs: Components And Requirements || Value-added Programs: Helping Auto Body Repair Shops Prosper || NHTSA Air-bag Proposals Being Reviewed, Final Rules Near || Thinking About Expanding Your Shop? || Guest Editorial: New Educational Horizons || Tech To Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 4, April 1997