The National Restaurant Association this week urged House lawmakers to pass a one-year extension of current federal tax rates and lay out a roadmap to consider more fundamental changes to the U.S. tax code in 2013.
Tax rates for businesses, individuals and some investments that have been in place since 2001 and 2003 are set to expire Dec. 31.
?The consensus among economists is that the economy is likely headed for a drastic decline in 2013..? if Congress doesn?t act to extend the lower rates, the NRA said in a July 31 letter to House members. ?The current uncertainty surrounding next year?s tax structure is already having a negative impact on investment, job creation, and consumer confidence,? said the NRA?s Scott DeFife, executive vice president, policy and government affairs.
The NRA also encouraged lawmakers to reform the tax code. ?Comprehensive tax reform is necessary to provide a simpler, fairer, more competitive tax structure for both small and large businesses,? DeFife wrote.
Preparing for Seattle?s paid sick and safe leave ordinance
On Sept. 12, 2011, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved an ordinance, which created a new chapter in the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC). The new chapter (SMC 14.16), referred to as the Seattle Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance, provides minimum requirements for employers with employees who work within the Seattle city limits to provide those employees with paid sick and safe leave. For the full article, go to www.seattlesickleave.com.
Save the Date! Rob McKenna Fundraising Reception
The Washington Restaurant Association will be holding the Rob McKenna Fundraising Reception on Tuesday, September 25 at El Gaucho Bellevue (450 108th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004) following a Government Affairs Committee meeting. The GAC meeting will take place 1:30 ? 3:30 p.m.; the McKenna reception will take place 3:30 ? 4:30 p.m.
In April, the WRA officially endorsed Rob McKenna for governor. The WRA?s board of directors hosted a gubernatorial candidate interview, providing McKenna and his opponent Jay Inslee the opportunity to share their goals for Washington and respond to questions from restaurant industry leaders. Prior to the meeting, both candidates were provided with a profile of the industry and were briefed on issues of particular significance to the sector. Following the interview, WRA members voted to award the endorsement to McKenna.
For more information, contact shannon.garland@wrahome.com, or call 360-956-7279.
Nationally, improved current conditions but softer outlook for restaurants
Bolstered by stronger same-store sales and customer traffic levels, the Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) stood at 101.4 in June, unchanged from May?s level. June represented the eighth consecutive month that the RPI remained above 100, signifying expansion in the index of key industry indicators. http://wra.cc/rpi0812.
Restaurant industry urges action on estate tax
Unsuspecting family-owned businesses could be hit by exorbitant estate taxes in 2013 if Congress doesn?t act, the National Restaurant Association and other business organizations told U.S. senators. For more information, go to http://wra.cc/estatetax0812.
Details under review in swipe-fee antitrust case
A long-running legal case that has pitted the National Restaurant Association and other merchants and business groups against Visa, MasterCard and some banks over allegedly anti-competitive swipe-fee rates reached a new stage this month when attorneys for both sides filed a proposed settlement with the court. For the full article, go to http://wra.cc/swipe0812.
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