1. OSHA Issues Additional Guidance on COVID as Recordable Illness

On April 10, 2020, OSHA released updated enforcement guidance for recording cases of COVID-19. The guidance clarifies that OSHA’s recordkeeping requirement for COVID-19 as a recordable illness applies to those in the healthcare industry and emergency response organizations. OSHA will not enforce its recordkeeping requirements to employers outside of these sectors.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA has been working with OSHA to make this clarification to ensure that NECA contractors are not responsible for recording COVID-19 on their OSHA 300 logs on the basis that it is impossible to prove COVID-19 was contracted on the jobsite.

2. GSA Issues Order Allowing Electronic Signatures for Bonding

NECA Government Affairs has worked with allied groups in the construction industry to push the General Services Administration (GSA) to issue an order allowing bonding vendors and sureties to use electronic signatures instead of the typically required ‘wet’ signatures. By doing so, our contractors can receive bonding, necessary on a majority of jobs, sooner and with less unnecessary contact during these challenging times.  We are pleased to announce that this reform was recently issued. While this strictly applies to only GSA contracts, NECA government affairs, along with others, is working to spread this reform to the entirety of the federal government.

NECA’s Look Ahead: Our contractors commend the GSA for their prompt response and reasonable revision. NECA will continue to work with the GSA and other construction industry groups to push for responsible reform and the removing of barriers to our industry’s reinvigoration.

3. NECA Calls for Additional Funding for Paycheck Protection Program

NECA and many of its Chapters joined over two hundred trade associations in sending a letter to Congress to urge emergency funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP has been very successful and widely utilized by the construction industry according to the Small Business Administration. The program ran out of funding on April 16, 2020.

NECA’s Look Ahead: With both the House and the Senate officially out of session until May, it  seems unlikely that Congress will be able to agree to and pass by unanimous consent, NECA remains committed to urging Congress to continue to fund this important program and return to Washington D.C. to start critical negotiations for Phase IV COVID-19 legislation. 

1. Congress Passes Legislation to Increase Funding for PPP

On April 23, 2020, the House passed, in a 388 to 5 vote, the Senate Amendment to H.R. 266 – Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on April 21, 2020. NECA advocated for additional funding and are confident that this amendment will continue to help NECA contractors keep their employees on payroll during this crisis.

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NECA-supported bill is expected to be signed into law by the President immediately. A detailed section by section summary can be found here. NECA has also compiled some FAQs on this loan program. NECA is continuing to work with congressional leaders on upcoming Phases of COVID-19 response bills. A major Phase IV bill is expected sometime in May.

2. NECA Weighs in on Main Street Lending Program

A group of congressional allies sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Vice Chairman for Supervision of Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Randal Quarles, requesting the inclusion of S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships in utilizing the Main Street lending facilities announced by Treasury and the Federal Reserve. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: The letter was organized in response to a coalition letter, which NECA supported, to Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Texas) on the issue. NECA will update its members once we have received a formal response from the Department of the Treasury.

3. Register Today for the Upcoming Government Affairs Webinar

On May 5, 2020 at 2PM ET, NECA’s Government Affairs team will brief participants on NECA’s requests for Congress in the Phase IV coronavirus response legislation, then participants can take action and send a letter to their Member of Congress requesting help for the electrical construction industry to remain viable during this crisis. Participants will also hear messages from key Members of Congress on the current legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Register Today! 

1. Senators Release Water Infrastructure Legislation

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, chaired by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wy.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), released two NECA-supported water infrastructure bills, the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA 2020) and Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020.

NECA’s Look Ahead: These bipartisan bills address the critical need to secure water infrastructure. The are successor bills to the NECA-supported America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 that easily passed through Congress and was signed into law in 2018. NECA will continue to monitor this important legislation as it moves through Congress.

• Read the section-by-section of the draft AWIA 2020 here.
• Read the section-by-section of the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act here.

2. Senate Returns to Washington Next Week

The Senate is scheduled to return to D.C. on Monday, May 4, 2020, to begin filling judicial vacancies and continue work on new coronavirus legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), released the following statement on this decision. The House has decided to postpone returning until further notice. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is expected to release an anticipated return date soon.  

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA looks forward to the Senate being in session to work on additional coronavirus legislation. The government affairs team continues to advocate on behalf of our contractors during this period.

3. Register Today for the Upcoming Government Affairs Webinar

On May 5, 2020 at 2 p.m. EDT, NECA’s Government Affairs team will brief participants on NECA’s requests for Congress in the Phase IV coronavirus response legislation. During this webinar, participants can take action and send a letter to their Member of Congress requesting help for the electrical construction industry to remain viable during this crisis. Participants will also hear messages from key Members of Congress on the current legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Register Today!

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is committed to ensuring the voices of our industry are heard during this time. We continue to advocate for the needs our contractors daily and remain devoted to keeping our members well informed on the policies impacting them.  

1. PPP Safe Harbor Deadline Extended

On May 5, 2020, the U.S. Treasury Department extended the safe harbor date for those that applied for a PPP loan prior to April 24, 2020. The original date, May 7, 2020, has been pushed back to May 14, 2020. Borrowers will not need to apply for the extension and additional guidance on how the SBA will review the certification will be provided shortly. NECA released the following alert pertaining to the extension and forthcoming guidance.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is pleased by this extension after sending a letter to the Treasury department last week. We continue to advocate for NECA contractors as we move forward during this time.

2. Bill Introduced to Make 501(c)(6) organizations Eligible for PPP Loans

On May 5, 2020, Representatives Chris Papas (D-NH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced H.R.6697 – “Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act of 2020”. This NECA supported legislation would expand the Paycheck Protection Program by allowing 501(c)(6) organizations, such as NECA Chapters, to access the Paycheck Protection Program to meet payroll and other necessary expenses during this crisis. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA will encourage the inclusion of this bill in any future COVID-19 relief package along with additional PPP reforms such as:

• Extending the PPP to more than eight weeks or allow companies to apply again after the first eight-week period ends.

• Increasing the qualified expenses covered under the Paycheck Protection Program to include nonpayroll expenses.

3. NECA Requests Infrastructure Support in Next COVID-19 Bill

NECA joined 71 trade associations and labor unions in a coalition letter to President Trump to encourage continued support for infrastructure in the next Phase of COVID-19 legislation.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA continues to advocate before the Administration and Congressional leaders for the inclusions of major infrastructure investment as a corner stone for the next phase of COVID-19 legislation, often referred to as Phase IV.

You’ve taken all the right steps to finalize your divorce, so now you can breathe a sigh of relief – right?  Not so fast.  There is still plenty of work to do.  Listed below are the “Top 10 Post-Divorce Actions”… Read More

The post Top 10 Post-Divorce Actions to Consider appeared first on Anders CPAs.

As we enter the new decade, the question really is how businesses adopt new capabilities that will help them be agile, customer centric, innovative and cost sensitive at the same time.

The real challenge in the world of employees working from their own homes is not the slack in productivity or the threat of transmission of the virus, but cybersecurity.

The US-based Zoom, which is also being used to conduct school classes besides corporate meetings, has also been tightening its encryption as it has come under fire globally for privacy issues.

Margaret Parker, MD, FCCM, speaks with Christine N. Duncan, MD

There will be up to 70% on from small businesses that includes up to 50% off artisan handloom and handicrafts. Up to 75% on 'interesting finds' from startups, 40% off on women-made products, up to 80% off on fashion, accessories and home products.

If you are someone who has been asked to work remotely and are looking for a laptop at a reasonable price, here are six of the best ones under Rs 40,000.

You should explore the `pause your SIP’ option offered by mutual funds before finalising to stop your mutual fund investments through SIPs.

Sensex jumps 1,080 points, Nifty tops 9,300; IndusInd jumps up to 8%

Sensex rises 100 points, Nifty tops 9,200; Voda Idea rallies 10%

Sensex plummets 536 pts on weak global cues, Nifty ends below 9,200; bank, IT stocks top drags

HDFC twins drive Sensex 606 points higher; Nifty tops 9,500

Sensex sheds 242 pts, Nifty slips below 9,200; financials top drags

India is followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico and Philippines ($34 billion each), according to World Bank.

India was the top recipient of remittances worldwide in 2018, data from the World Bank shows. The remittances were boosted in part by migrants from Kerala sending.

Seven companies including Aditya Birla Financial Services, Mahindra Financial Services, Bajaj Finance, Tata Capital and L&T Finance collectively raised ₹3,544 crore out of the targeted ₹10,400 crore on Monday and Tuesday.

India lost the top spot in the ICC Test rankings to Australia on Friday, dropping to third after their stupendous 2016-17 record was eliminated from the annual update as per rules.

It’s time to say ‘Bula’ as Indian filmmakers make plans for filming in Fiji.

‘Demand environment, supply opportunity and currencies are the three major drivers for pharma’

Explore 05 May 2020 72376 1741 176

VINO ROSSO (USA) [126] posted an impressive victory in the LONGINES Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to join the top five of the ninth edition of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2019. Vino Rosso improved his rating from 121 to 126 when he defeated MCKINZIE (USA) [123] by 4 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita. Earlier […]

The post World’s Best Racehorse Rankings: Vino Rosso’s Breeders’ Cup Classic Win Vaults Him Into Top Five appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk has tried to stay prepared if the NHL season restarts but, at least, his family worries are behind him.

Chris gets a voicemail from a listener (Brenie) discussing the new show format. And Mark helps Chris encourage more engagement for the alphabet photo challenges. Download the MP3 for this episode Receive TFTTF updates via email Support the show on Patreon or via SEPA

The post 891 Snips from the Top Floor? (Slice) appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FROM THE TOP FLOOR.

The Tattersalls December Mares Sale exploded into life on Tuesday evening with seven fillies and mares realizing one million guineas (US$1,335,097) or more and a further 21 selling above 500,000 guineas ($667,548). The turnover on the second day reached a remarkable 42,534,600 guineas ($56,797,280) at an average of 218,126 guineas ($291,247) and a median of […]

The post Seven Top A Million Guineas On Second Day Of Tattersalls December Mares Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

I originally gave this post the title, “Stigler: The Changing History of Robustness,” but then I was afraid nobody would read it. In the current environment of Move Fast and Break Things, not so many people care about robustness. Also, the widespread use of robustness checks to paper over brittle conclusions has given robustness a […]

The decision to shelve detailed advice from the nation's top disease control experts for reopening communities during the coronavirus pandemic came from the highest levels of the White House, according to internal government e-mails.

Beaudoin, Christopher Jan. 31, 1970 - May 5, 2020 Christopher Beaudoin, 50, of Sarasota, FL, died on May 5, 2020. Funeral arrangements by: Maloney .....

Did you know that WordPress CMS powers around 26% of all the websites?  This CMS has always been a favourite among the web-savvy users and start-ups because of its simple yet powerful features. If you have plans to start a small business website using any CMS platform, then WordPress is worth choosing because it comes...

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Visitation at Grand Canyon National Park is up 20 percent in 2015. https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/record-breaking-visitation.htm

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Kenyan scientists discovered a microbe–Microsporidia MB–inside some mosquitoes that completely protects them from malaria infection which spreads to humans.

The post Breakthrough For Kenyan Scientists Who Discover Natural Microbe That Completely Stops Malaria in Mosquitoes appeared first on Good News Network.

Sustainable working landscapes are critical to the conservation of biodiversity in the American West and its cultures of rural ranching and forestry.

Diameter growth is seasonal in Douglas-fir, the evergreen tree found in much of western Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Initiation and cessation of diameter growth are both triggered by environmental cues. The tree responds to these cues to improve its chances of growing under favorable conditions. As environmental conditions change, however, land managers want to know how warmer summers and falls may affect diameter growth in Douglas-fir.

Excess nitrogen stemming from human activities is a common water pollutant. Fertilizer runoff, sewage, and fossil fuel emission all contain nitrogen that often ends in streams, rivers, and ultimately the ocean.

A simplified method of producing a centered dropdown and flyout menu with variable widths depending on text content.

A restyled version that allows dropdowns and flyouts to the left and right. Centered top level list and different color sub levels. Even works in IE5.5.

A droplist menu using top level blocks containing images with text and links.

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This guidebook describes major biological and physical attributes of the 243-ha (600-ac) Round Top Butte Research Natural Area. The area supports high-quality examples of valley upland grasslands and savanna of the Cascade foothills. Plant communities include Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) savanna and open woodland with forbs and grasses; ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)-Oregon white oak woodland; bluebunch wheatgrass-California oatgrass-Lemmon’s needlegrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata-Danthonia californica-Achnatherum lemmonii) grasslands; and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)-California oatgrass vernally flooded prairie.

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PODTRAC has released its APRIL 2019 ranking of the top podcast publishers, with iHEARTRADIO topping the list, trading places with the usual leader, NPR. All of the top 20 saw audience … more