Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Convention 2010

Oregon 2010 Election Outlook Oregon Delegation

Senators:

 

Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Ron Wyden (D-OR) +14

 

Representatives:

 

David Wu (D-1) +8

Greg Walden (R-2) +10

Earl Blumenauer (D-3) +19

Peter DeFazio (D-4) +2

Kurt Schrader (D-5) +1

EFCA and Labor Agenda

Travel Promotion Act

Online Hotel Booking Tax

Americans with Disabilities Act

MAJOR ISSUES

Employee ‘Forced Choice’ Act

• AH&LA’s efforts through Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) have made issue toxic and a political liability

• Little time and few vehicles left during this Congress

• Danger still exists during lame duck

• CDW Coalition will continue to monitor issue and provide updates on the regulatory side

MAJOR ISSUESCard Check

MAJOR ISSUESNLRB

National Labor Relations Board

Wilma Liebman (D) – Current Board Chair, Term expires in 2010Brian Hayes (R) – Only remaining Republican member, Term expires in 2012

Craig Becker (D) – Recess appointed, Term expires in 2011Mark G. Pearce (D) – Recess appointed, Term expires in 2013

Why this matters:• As card check legislation looks unlikely, NLRB is backdoor for organizing• Evidence: NLRB will revisit 2007 Dana Corp. ruling

• Currently allows workers to vote out via secret ballot a union that was recognized through the card check process

Department of Labor – regulatory & enforcement activity

• DOL’s “Plan Prevent and Protect” policy Identify hazards and implement plan w/ employeesIdentify person responsibleProvide plan to employees to help monitor

• OFCCP Audits of Hotel Headquarters and propertieswebinar

• OSHA InvestigationsStudy – task force to respond

• H2B Investigation of Hotels and new regulations• AHLA online resources at www.ahla.com

MAJOR ISSUESDOL Enforcement

MAJOR ISSUESOnline Hotel Booking Tax

“Internet Travel Tax Fairness Act” (ITTFA)

• Preempts state and local tax authority and limits tax to discounted rate• Mandates that traditional travel agents would enjoy preferential tax

treatment• Specifically bans hotels from utilizing new tax category

• States/localities look to hotels to make up for lost revenue• Makes hotels vulnerable to tax on revenue not received

• Places hotels at competitive disadvantage• OTCs protected from full tax where hotels will continue to pay full tax• Can undercut hotels in final price of room (even when room rate is

equal)

MAJOR ISSUESOnline Hotel Booking Tax

AH&LA has led fight against ITTFA

• Built coalition with state and local governments, DMAI, AAHOA, NABHOOD

• AH&LA has hired tax counsel and is launching a PR campaign

• Support for OTCs from Sen. Wyden (D-OR), Reid (D-NV), Ensign (R-NV), Baucus (D-MT)

• Otherwise – OTCs face legislative opposition

• Met with OTCs to suggest non-legislative alternative, but were turned down

MAJOR ISSUESOnline Hotel Booking Tax

Dept. of Justice announced significant changes to ADA

• Reconfigurations to accessible guest room bathrooms• Changes how reservations for accessible rooms are handled and

guaranteed• Expands accessibility to employee work areas• Adds requirements for recreational and exercise facilities, play

areas, pools, spas and golf facilities• Service animals are clarified as dogs & miniature horses

AH&LA activities include:

• Hired ADA Counsel, formed multiple committees, held multiple meetings with regulators, filed comments at every stage of regulatory development

• Webinars on new ADA regulations• Crafting industry response to newly proposed rules to cover

furniture, equipment and web sites

MAJOR ISSUESAmericans with Disabilities Act

Marlene ColucciExecutive Vice President for Public Policy

(202) 289-3121mcolucci@ahla.com

CONTACT INFORMATION