Measures Printers Should Know About

With legislative activity winding down in Albany and Trenton, we offer a brief status report on some of the latest state-related measures which may impact Printing News readers:

New York

As a result of an onslaught of communications from members of Printing Industries Alliance, the Direct Mail Association, and other concerned graphics professionals, all is currently quiet on direct mail, at least for now, regarding two bills introduced earlier in the session. S-2132 would establish a “do not mail” registry, with individuals registering with the NYS Consumer Protection Board if they no longer wish to receive unsolicited mail. Mailers would be required to purchase lists and delete registrants on an on-going basis. Violators would be subject to $1,000 fine per infraction. A-3191 would require senders of unsolicited mail to provide written notice of consumer’s right to elect not to receive further ads, with a civil penalty for violations. The measure was passed by the Assembly Consumer Protection Committee and is currently being held at the sponsor’s request in the Codes Committee.

For the 12th consecutive year, the Assembly passed pay equity bills, this year being a package of four, the highlight of which is A.3911, which would ensure pay differentiation in the private sector is not based on a person’s sex, national origin or race. Democrat Craig Johnson is sponsoring a companion bill in the Senate (S.955) which has passed the Finance Committee, and awaits action.

While Gov. Paterson signed new laws extending unemployment compensation benefits by an additional 13 weeks, battle lines are being drawn between business and labor on system reform. The AFL-CIO wants the state to increase the maximum benefit of $405 per week—one of the lowest in the nation—to approximately $560 per week, or 50 percent of the average weekly wage; to increase the tax paid by employers to the UTF (which is insolvent and borrowing from the federal government); and to index the benefit to increases in cost of living. Speculation abounds that organized labor has been asked for concessions on some of its own legislative priorities to see this happen, so stay tuned.

Also, PIA added its voice of opposition to the Legislature’s plan to assess a payroll tax of 33 cents per $100 on every employee within the Metropolitan Transit Authority service area.

New Jersey

A-4028, which eliminates the corporate tax penalty paid by businesses, was introduced May 28. It would phase out the use of in-state payroll and property when a multi-state corporation calculates its business tax. It is designed to level the playing field for both in-state and out-of-state corporations doing business in the Garden State.

A dwindling Unemployment Insurance Fund and increasing numbers of layoffs may trigger an automatic payroll tax increase of nearly 20 percent, effective July 1, unless the State puts more money into it. Business groups, including PIA, are opposed and have urged lawmakers to reduce spending before imposing further taxes on the business community.

A-2952, which would establish a second degree crime for knowingly, and a third degree crime for recklessly, causing another person to be exposed to a toxic pollutant by inhalation, ingestion or absorption, has been introduced in the Assembly. Given the broad category of “toxic pollutant”, and fact that it establishes no threshold amounts or duration of exposure, PIA and other organizations will continue to try to stop this bill.

The Small Business Administration will launch America’s Recovery Capital, a $35,000 deferred payment, no interest loan, on June 15 to firms that need temporary relief to keep their doors open, and will feature a 100 percent repayment guarantee. Loans or debts that are eligible for assistance include capital leases, notes payable to vendors, suppliers or utilities; secured or unsecured conventional loans (mortgages, lines of credit); credit card obligations, and more.