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NEW LOBBYING LAWS
The first guidance to lobbying organizations regarding new filing procedures have been issued by Congressional officials in charge of implementing the new lobbying and ethics law. Further substantive guidance on how to comply with the lobbying provisions of the new law, entitled "the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act," (HLOGA) is expected in December. Lobbyists have long been required to disclose their activities under the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA). HLOGA beefs up existing LDA requirements and also amends a range of ethics rules, congressional procedures, and other related laws. The new law severely restricts gifts and travel provided by lobbyists to lawmakers. The law also requires more transparency in such areas as lobbying by coalitions and lobbyists' contributions of campaign money and other funds.
STUDY: ENERGY LEGISLATION BAD FOR ECONOMY
API released a report Nov. 13 predicting that energy legislation pending in Congress would have significant adverse effects on the economy and consumers. The report concluded that nearly 5 million jobs and $1 trillion in economic output, equivalent to a 4 percent drop in gross domestic product, could be lost by 2030 if the current legislation is passed. According to the report, seven major pending legislative proposals would restrict the supply of energy available to the U.S. economy and would likely increase the cost of energy supplies to consumers and businesses. The proposals include a mandatory oil savings program; a renewable fuels standard; oil industry tax increases; a price-gouging provision; a renewable electricity standard for the electric power sector; more stringent vehicle fuel economy standards; and various proposed access restrictions on domestic production of oil and natural gas. Democrats have been unable to reconcile the House-passed energy bill (H.R. 3221) and the Senate version (H.R. 6) over the past three months. The report on is available at: http://www.api.org/Newsroom/energy-legis-economy.cfm.
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NO SIGMA WEEKLY REPORT NEXT WEEK
Unless there is important breaking news that needs to be distributed, there will be no Weekly Report next week, Monday, November 26, 2007. Have a safe an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
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ENERGY BILL SHELVED UNTIL DECEMBER
There is still no consensus on a stalled energy bill that can pass both the House and the Senate and it will be shelved until after the Thanksgiving recess when Congress returns in December. Leaders are still working to create a combination of provisions for a final bill that can make it through both chambers. The controversial House provision that would create a national renewable electricity mandate for utilities may be removed from the proposal. Many utility executives argue that renewable energy resources are not distributed evenly across the country and some customers, especially in the Southeast, will end up paying more for electricity in order to meet a nationwide target. Dropping the RES would remove one of the biggest obstacles to passage of a conference agreement in the Senate. Other sticking points remain, though, including raising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards and the House bill's $16 billion tax title that would repeal oil and gas industry subsidies to fund renewable energy development.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE EXAMINES ESTATE TAX
Although Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) supports the repeal of the estate tax, reform is more likely in light of differing opinions on the matter. Those who support repeal say that the estate tax is an unfair burden on family businesses and farms, the heirs to which may be forced to sell pieces of the business just to pay the estate tax bill. Those who oppose repeal say it would be too costly for the government to give up the tax revenue and that there are already allowances for family businesses. They also argue that without an estate tax, the heirs of the wealthy are given an unfair advantage over everyone. At a hearing held on Nov. 14, senators and witnesses alike called for Congress to set a long-term policy on the estate tax because of the extreme complexities of planning as the tax rates change each year. The law continues to change and will change annually from 2008 to 2011. Baucus said he would hold "aggressive" hearings in 2008 with a goal of working on major tax reform in 2009 and possibly 2010. His intention is for Finance Committee to find a solution that is "fair" and can garner 60 votes on the Senate floor.
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CAP AND TRADE MARKUP
According to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Barbara Boxer (D-CA), her committee will mark up the cap-and-trade bill to curb U.S. greenhouse gas emissions on Dec. 5. Although the delay is not ideal, it is more palatable for Republican members, giving them more time to study the legislation. The December markup would ensure the Lieberman-Warner bill could be readied for debate on the Senate floor in early 2008. The Lieberman-Warner bill calls for capping U.S. emissions nearly 70 percent from 2005 levels by 2050 through an emissions allowance trading program that would extend to virtually all industrial sectors, including transportation, electric utilities, and manufacturers.
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CAFÉ STANDARDS FOR LIGHT TRUCKS REJECTED
On Nov. 15, a federal court in California rejected new fuel economy standards for light trucks including SUVs, ruling that the government failed to take into account the effects of carbon emissions and their possible link to global warming. The U.S. Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit rejected the argument that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was not required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to consider the impact of carbon dioxide, which might have led to stricter corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards under the 2006 rulemaking. The finding was a victory for environmentalists and several states that had sued over fuel economy standards, which were announced in 2006. The court's ruling rejects CAFE standards that were to have gone into effect next year and would have raised required CAFE for light trucks from 21.6 miles per gallon to 23.5 by 2010. As a result of the ruling, the court ordered NHTSA to come up with new standards. Current standards for light trucks are likely to remain in effect until new ones can be formulated.
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2007 ECONOMIC CENSUS FORMS COMING SOON
In December, more than 4 million American businesses will receive 2007 Economic Census forms, including 960,000 retailers, underscoring the importance of their participation in the nation’s most comprehensive measure of business and industry taken every five years. Businesses will be asked to report information such as employment, payroll and the value of goods and services sold. Forms must be returned to the U.S. Census Bureau by Feb. 12, 2008. Businesses that receive forms are required by federal law to respond. Information about individual firms is kept confidential, and only aggregate industry data are published. For businesses that would like to get a head start on preparing for the census, the new web site www.business.census.gov provides links to sample forms, answers to frequently asked questions and a secure way to communicate directly with the Census Bureau. The site also has tips to help businesses use the data. Watch for your forms!
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UPDATE YOUR COMPANY INFO FOR SIGMA
By now, you should have received SIGMA’s 2008 Membership Directory Update. It is important that we have the most up to date information on file for your company. Please be sure to complete the request by updating your company information, or by letting us know that everything we have on file is accurate. Be sure to fax the completed forms to us at (703)709-7007. If you have any questions, or if you have not received the mailing, feel free to call (703)709-7000 and ask for Brian Inglis or Eileen Moore.
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SIGMA’S 50th ANNIVERSARY
Beginning in January 2008, SIGMA will kick off its year long celebration of its 50th Anniversary. We need your help! Do you have any photos of your stations from decades ago? What about old equipment or other memorabilia? How about an interesting story to share? We want to hear from you! Please email Susan Crosby at scrosby@sigma.org if you’d like to contribute. Speaking of the 50th Anniversary, the 2008 Annual Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on November 13-16. The hotel reservation form is posted on the SIGMA website.
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NO WORD ON SCHIP
As it stands now, it looks like there will not be any action on SCHIP until after the Thanksgiving break. Legislators are still working to come up with some sort of compromise on SCHIP provisions including the tobacco excise tax issue. Congress will begin working on a continuing resolution funding bill for SCHIP when they come back in December.
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2008 EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE ROOM BLOCK
Make plans to join your colleagues in Snowbird, Utah on February 10-13 for the 2008 Executive Leadership Conference! The conference will be held at the Cliff Lodge Hotel. Please visit www.sigma.org for registration forms and hotel information. The room block expires on December 7. Make your plans soon to ensure better rates and ample rooms. Call the SIGMA with questions: 703-709-7000.
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WINTER COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Register today for the Winter Committee Meetings coming up in Salt Lake City UT on February 7-8 at the Salt Lake City Marriott—Downtown. This meeting provides an outlet for SIGMA members to Get Involved! Don’t forget that following the Committee Meetings, you can join us for the SIGMA/NPN/OPIS Executive Leadership Conference in Snowbird, Utah! SIGMA will provide van transportation for those wishing to go.
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SIGMA Weekly Report November 19, 2007 © Copyright SIGMA, 2007
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