Public Policy

From ChamberChoice and Small Business Pittsburgh There are numerous employee benefits laws requiring compliance. Staying on top of compliance can be daunting, and it’s easy for something to fall through the cracks. As you gear up for the New Year, take some time to review the pitfalls of employee benefits plan administration. Smart Business spoke with…

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The week prior to Christmas was an important one – not only in the world of politics, but for employers and workers across the nation. Congress passed a sweeping tax reform measure, the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, that makes the first substantial changes to America’s tax code…

From ChamberChoice As the year begins to wind down, employers should remember to have on their “to do” list a review of any benefits which need to be reported as imputed income. In general, the benefits that an employer provides to its employees are excluded from an employee’s taxable income. However, for employer-sponsored group term life insurance,…

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, the House failed to pass legislation that would have prevented public employers from using taxpayer-funded payroll systems to automatically deduct money for campaign contributions or other political activity from employees’ paychecks. Senate Bill 166 – which was defeated in a 90-102 vote on final passage – earned the support…

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The House passed in a nearly unanimous (183-4) vote last week legislation that many lawmakers called a “necessary compromise” to help address the state Unemployment Compensation benefit system costs for operational and system upgrades. House Bill 1915 was crafted with bipartisan support following the misappropriation of UC system funds…

From ChamberChoice Recently it was communicated that there were Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indications of intent to begin enforcement of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) “employer mandate.” However, as of Nov. 2, 2017, it’s official. On that date, the IRS issued its proposed assessment letter (Letter 226J) it will use when notifying employers of their potential…

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry The PA Chamber recently sent two communications to lawmakers urging support for S.B. 936, which would establish a prescription drug formulary for injured workers in the Commonwealth. A group memo was sent to House lawmakers from a broad coalition including hospitals, pharmacists, addiction treatment professionals, healthcare providers, local governments, school districts…