THIS WEEK IN RALEIGH:
Each week we participate in Advocacy calls with the North Carolina Chamber:
SB116 & HB334: Putting NC Back to Work Act & JOBS Grants and Tax Relief
Several of our Chamber Members have shared their frustration about the talent/employee shortage they are facing. We have joined with the NC Chamber of Commerce in signaling our support for two bills, SB116 and HB334, which aim to address this challenge. SB116 would end NC's participation in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) programs, noted by economists as a likely factor delaying a return to work for some claimants in state UI systems. It also includes tax relief measures for UI claimants and aims to reduce COVID-related childcare burdens on parents in our state by allocating $250 million in American Rescue Plan funds to be used for subsidized childcare for eligible children. Meanwhile, HB334 contains comprehensive tax reform proposals including a $1 billion grant program for businesses disrupted by COVID-19 to support workforce retention and other priorities. Both SB116 and HB334 were amended substantially after passing their chamber of origin - and both have since passed their amending chamber, which means they will need to be negotiated by the House and Senate before advancing further. It is yet to be seen how these negotiations will play out, but they may occur as part of larger negotiations around a state budget (both House and Senate agreed to a top-line budget amount this week of $25.72 billion. We urge you to contact your legislators and tell them a vote for the priorities in SB116 and HB334 is a vote for the workforce solutions North Carolina needs at this important moment in our economy.
Want to know the latest from the North Carolina General Assembly?
They have a robust website with details and links to answer questions you may have related to current legislation under consideration. Here you will find calendars for both the House and Senate, daily lists of Bills that were filed or acted upon, a Bill look-up field, and much more. Check it out!
