The Slice gives you all the news you can use. Each issue will include the latest news, COVID-19 updates, legislative news, and other relevant items for our readers. Please let us know if you'd like to see anything in particular or have other feedback - just email marketing@vrlta.org.

VRLTA has been advocating at the state level to have hotel workers moved up to Phase 1c of the vaccine priority list. We just learned from the Commonwealth’s Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources that Phase 1c will soon be updated to include “Traveler Accommodations (Including Hotel Workers)” under the Phase 1c “Housing and Construction” category). This is great news for the hospitality industry and hotel and lodging employees across the state. Special thanks to Hilton for their help on advancing this issue.

VRLTA received almost 700 applications for this restaurant grant program. Our judges are finishing up their review now, and we will be announcing the grant recipients soon. Thank you to all who applied and to those members who have helped review the applications.

U.S. Travel has released new/revised documents related to the recent COVID relief bill and other issues key to travel organizations.

The NRA has released an updated slide presentation on the RRF. See it here.

One year into the coronavirus pandemic, safety and cleanliness remain the top concerns for hotel guests and employees. The Safe Stay initiative continues to be a leading priority for AHLA and our industry. AHLA recently shared a new version of the Safe Stay protocols, which include:

The Virginia Department of Health has opened up vaccines to more people in Phase 1b in certain areas of the state. In the Alexandria, Richmond, and Henrico health districts, restaurant workers will now be able to get the vaccine. The VDH will start contacting people who preregistered and selected 'food service' on their preregistration form.

Haven't preregistered yet? Go to https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/

When The Great American Takeout launched on March 24, 2020, everyone thought it would be a one-day event. But one year (and 16 events) later, we’re still here. And so are millions of restaurants, owners, operators and employees who have defied seemingly insurmountable odds to keep their doors open and their kitchens cooking. On March 24, 2021, joined by the restaurants that helped kickstart it and the sponsors who kept it going, the industry is marking the one-year anniversary of The Great American Takeout with the biggest event ever.

Join in to drive record-breaking takeout sales for restaurants and raise over $500,000 to help CORE and the NRAEF support restaurant workers and their families.

Here’s how you can help: On March 24, order a takeout or delivery meal from a restaurant you want to support. Take a picture of your meal and post it on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #TheGreatAmericanTakeout. For every picture posted, sponsors will donate $10 to CORE and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (up to $555,000).

Mark Your Calendar!

AHLA is part of the H-2B Workforce Coalition, which recently sent a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, detailing issues around and needed support for the H-2B visa program, which allows hospitality organizations and others to supplement their seasonal workforces. Read the letter here.

The H-2B workforce coalition is focused on three strategic areas right now:

Additional resource: a recent Cato Institute REPORT entitled, “H-2B Visas: The Complex Process for Nonagricultural Employers to Hire Guest Workers” which correctly concludes that the program is overly complex and burdensome and should be streamlined and reformed to benefit both employers and guest workers alike. This will be an important tool in advocacy efforts moving forward.

Under emergency legislation enacted by the 2021 General Assembly, Virginia's date of conformity to the terms of the Internal Revenue Code advances from Dec. 31, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020. This allows Virginia to generally conform to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA).

However, it specifically deconforms from three provisions of the CARES Act that temporarily change limitations applicable to the net operating loss deduction, excess business losses and the business interest deduction. This legislation also deconforms from the provision of the CAA that permanently reduces the medical expense deduction threshold.

The legislation conforms to the federal tax exemption for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness and certain funding received under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. However, it partially deconforms from the provision of the CAA that allows taxpayers to claim a federal deduction for business expenses funded by forgiven PPP loan proceeds. Instead, the bill permits a deduction for Taxable Year 2020 of up to $100,000 for business expenses funded by forgiven PPP loan proceeds. In addition, the legislation fully deconforms from the provision of the CAA that allows taxpayers to claim a federal deduction for business expenses funded by certain EIDL funding proceeds.

The legislation also provides an individual and corporate income tax subtraction for Taxable Year 2020 for up to $100,000 of all grant funds received by a taxpayer under the Rebuild Virginia program. Tax Bulletin 21-4 explains the conformity adjustments that may be necessary as a result of this legislation.

If you have additional questions, go to www.tax.virginia.gov, or contact us at 804.367.8031 for individual income tax questions and 804.367.8037 for business tax questions.

JLARC—the program evaluation agency for the Virginia General Assembly—is conducting a study of the unemployment insurance program and workforce services offered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). JLARC staff are collecting feedback from businesses that have had some experience with VEC. Your responses will be confidential and used to improve VEC's programs as needed. Here is the survey link.

VDEM is collecting information which will help them engage with private sector partners when managing a future disaster. The Agency is establishing a Private Sector Program to build relationships and leverage the capabilities of Virginia's businesses to support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Please take the survey here.

VRLTA's hospitality- and tourism-specific job board currently has over 120 jobs listed. Has your company listed open positions? If not, you might be missing that perfect candidate.

VRLTA members get unlimited listings for free (choose 30, 60 or 90 days - up to $100 value for each listing!). A 30-day listing for nonmembers is just $50. Job seekers can search jobs statewide and post their resume in the resume bank. Take advantage of your membership and get free listings through the end of the year. There's no cost or risk to members - why not give it a try?

Register here: https://gmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pd-2grj4iEtzNJ-hum-ulPuHtPAN30nO9. Include your organization's name. You'll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to join the event on March 29.

Please register by March 25. Questions? Reach out to Mckenzie Dunford (mdunfor2@masonlive.gmu.edu) or Stephanie Kuhta (smonk@gmu.edu ). 

Our new effort to recognize VRLTA members on social media is a hit! Want to have a chance to be featured? Fill out this quick form for us. Thanks!

The American Hotel & Lodging Association is committed to helping members on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes ensuring members have the necessary resources to properly educate and encourage their employees to get vaccinated. On the AHLA Vaccination site, resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations are valuable in helping hotels maximize participation in the vaccination process. Maximizing employee participation in vaccination is a key step to protecting our employees and guests as well as ensuring the hotel industry recovers. The following resources can be utilized by hoteliers to educate, inform, and encourage vaccination among employees. Visit the page here.