in the lobby By: zoe baldwin
I
First off, the Feds. In Mid-March President Trump signed into law a more than $100 billion coronavirus aid package that includes new leave requirements for employers. The new law requires governments and private businesses with fewer than 500 employees to provide up to two weeks of paid sick leave for those who miss work due to coronavirus or for those who have to take care of affected family members. An eligible employee is one who has worked at least 30 calendar days for the employer. USDOL will exempt companies with fewer than 50 workers if they risk going out of business. The provisions will only apply to coronavirus-related illnesses and would last only through the end of 2020. This paid sick leave is in addition to existing paid sick leave or PTO time that is offered by or required of employers. Employers will receive 100% tax credit for paid sick time up to the ACT’s paid limitations (up to $511 per day, $5,110 total or up to $200 per day, $10,00 total when caring for children home from school). Please note that leave for employees caring for children under 18 years of age due to eligible school closing are only entitled to unpaid sick leave for the first ten days. Paid sick leave applies to both full and part time employees (on a pro-rata basis) and the requirement/benefit expires on December 31, 2020. As of this writing, we do not have further details on how this new law will be implemented. Congressional lawmakers are already working on another stimulus effort in response to the widening pandemic, and our national coalition, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), has been working to ensure funding for infrastructure is included. The ARTBA co-chaired Transportation Construction Coalition sent a March 19 letter to Capitol Hill highlighting the short-term and long-term positive impacts
of infrastructure investment on the U.S. economy. Senators Barrasso (R-WY), Shelby (R-AK), Cramer (R-ND), and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) have publicly stated their support for including major infrastructure investment in the plan. On the home front, the Small Business Administration (SBA) declared a disaster in the state, making businesses eligible for low-interest federal loans up to $2M. However, Governor Murphy has cautioned owners – especially those severely impacted – to hold off until there is a full picture of available resources. After Hurricane Sandy businesses rushed to get loans that ultimately made them ineligible for grants that were offered later. Funding for the loans was included in the coronavirus spending bill described above. They carry a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses with up to 30 years to repay. To apply for loans, visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants also can call the SBA at 800- 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov. For more information visit https://sba.gov/page/guidance-businesses-employers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19. The deadline is Dec. 18 and the declaration also includes businesses in several counties bordering New Jersey: New Castle, Delaware; Bronx, New York, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester, New York; and Bucks, Delaware, Monroe, Northampton, Philadelphia and Pike in Pennsylvania.
Legislative News
n the wake of our new, socially distanced reality, almost everyone is feeling vulnerable whether physically or financially, and it’s hard to know what to do in the face of such massive uncertainty. UTCA has been and continues to be in constant contact with the Governor's office, members of the Legislature, local governments, and various state agencies in an effort to mitigate economic impact to our industry. Below is a roundup of the state and federal government resources and response for business during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Finally, just this hour, the US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has declared that Tax Day will be moved from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have the additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Next, New Jersey At the time of this writing, the state is still working to put together a comprehensive relief package and corresponding guidance. The best resource right now is a new business information hub on COVID-19 that allows users to search for the specific information they need. It also has a livechat function which is available from 8am-9pm. You can visit the state's website at https://cv.business.nj.gov or call the Business Helpline 1-800-JERSEY-7. Our partners at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) have also been hard at work to protect employers and have created a resources page with a slew of invaluable
Utility & Transportation Contractor | april| 2020 27
