Washington
Update for September 2000
Provided
by the National Association of Manufacturers
Trucking Hours of Service
The
Department of Transportation (DOT) has extended
the comment period for its costly
hours-of-service proposal to 12/15/00 and
scheduled three roundtable discussions this fall.
The proposed rule will have questionable safety
benefits, dramatically restructure our nation's
freight-delivery system, jeopardize just-in-time
inventory management, and lead to increased
transportation costs which will be passed on to
shippers and, ultimately, consumers. There is
currently an National Association of
Manufacturers (NAM)-supported provision in the
Senate transportation appropriations bill for FY
2001 prohibiting use of DOT funds to finalize
this proposed rule, but the ultimate outcome is
uncertain.
Environmental Justice
The
comment period for EPA's revised
environmental-justice guidance closed 8/28. By
failing to adopt a clear process by which
facilities will be allowed to operate, EPA has
invited challenges under Title VI of the 1964
Civil Rights Act to existing and future permits.
This could severely disrupt your business
planning. The NAM coordinated business' response
to EPA. Despite substantial improvements over the
1998 Interim Guidance, there is still concern
that the revised guidance does not provide the
necessary predictability and certainty for
environmental permitting. A final guidance could
be issued before the elections.
Foreign Trade
China
permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) bill is a
top Senate priority this fall. It passed the
House earlier this year after a tough debate. Any
Senate amendments would send the measure back to
the House, where political pressures and delays
could be fatal. Organized labor has made defeat
of PNTR its top policy priority. Approval of PNTR
would mean more business opportunities for you
and your customers in China, which is already our
fourth-largest trading partner.
Death Tax Repeal
An attempt to override the president's veto could
come within a few days. ``The death tax is the
wrecking ball of a life's worth of achievements
and success,'' said House Ways and Means
Committee Chair Bill Archer (R-TX). Supporters of
the repeal contend the tax is an unfair burden.
Opponents condemn the bill as a sweetheart deal
for the very rich. "If Republicans were
being honest about the beneficiaries of their
estate tax break, it would have been delivered by
Donald Trump in a stretch limo, not a farmer on a
tractor, said House Minority Leader Richard
Gephardt (D-MO). Before the November elections,
it is likely that the House will attempt to
override President Clinton's veto.
Pension Reform
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to give
careful consideration to pension reform
legislation this fall. Committee Chair Bill Roth
(R-DE) has long been a strong supporter of
retirement security.The bill is expected to be
similar to legislation overwhelmingly approvedby
the House in July. Capitol Hill sources say
significant pension legislation could be enacted
before Congress adjourns in October. Pension
reform has broad bipartisan support in both
houses.
E-Commerce Taxation
Congressional staff has concluded that the Senate
Finance Committee does have jurisdiction over
e-commerce taxation, from both a trade and tax
perspective. Time permitting, there may be a
hearing later this year to revisit the scope of
the current moratorium.
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