If you have been following WOTC in the news lately, there hasn’t been much to follow. The political process has been occupied elsewhere. You might, however, have notice a few interesting odds and ends.
For example, ADP has a new mobile tool for WOTC screening.” Click here.
Max Shenker of The EZ Policy Blog has also passed along a few interesting WOTC-related stories.
“The National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) is highlighting a new study from an economist with the Wharton School of business showing that states collectively save $1.7 billion a year because of WOTC.” Here.
Senator Hatch (Republican of Utah) predicts that tax-extenders will pass during the lame-duck session after the November 4 elections.
“[M]ake no mistake, Republicans want to pass this legislation. We know how important these extenders are to the business community. We’re going to get it done. I’m confident that it will pass, likely during the lame duck session after the midterms.”
And, the “IRS Wants Extenders Passed With Minimal Changes” in order to minimize potential complications for the upcoming 2015 tax-filing season.
Each of these items is uplifting in its own WOTC-sort-of way.
If you want to actually do something about passing a WOTC extension, Paul Suplizio of the WOTC Coalition offers some specific direction today. The following is published here with permision.
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From: “Paul Suplizio” <wotc@cox.net>
Date: Mon, October 06, 2014 7:56 am
Subject: WOTC Coalition Lobbying During Election Period
Every member of the House not retiring will be campaigning at home for re-election this month, the best time to visit and get their attention.
Attached is our state-by-state target list for lobbying House Republicans during the election period. We’ve included senators you’ll need to lobby as well, but give priority to House Republicans because they’ll determine the future of WOTC.
We cannot win a temporary extension after the election, or permanent extension in the tax reform bill to be written in the new Congress, without support of the Republican-controlled House.
In every state our Coalition has members who know how to be effective, and you are the people congressmen have a duty to listen to when you have a legislative interest. They will be home the entire month so go around to see them in their district office or at town meetings and campaign events and make the case for WOTC.
Start with your own congressman if he or she is a Republican—you don’t need to look at the lobbying plan for their name—you know who they are.
If you are a firm or organization that operates statewide, go to the target list for your state and make an effort to see those congressmen on the list.
If you are a firm or organization with branches or operations in more than one state, start with the state where you are headquartered, then work on the target list for states where you have a significant presence. So long as your organization has an impact on people in the district, you can represent their interest when speaking to their congressman.
Here’s the type message to deliver in your own words:
“We are concerned because Congress has yet to act on a tax extenders bill renewing programs like the work opportunity tax credit that have expired. Many of these programs have been part of the tax code for two or three decades, like WOTC, and Congress has always renewed them retroactively when they expire. But this year only the Senate has taken up and approved a bi-partisan bill on a first vote of 95-3. The House has passed bills for tax measures to be included in future tax reform, but has done nothing on the most immediate need—a bill to renew WOTC and other expired provisions.”
“A tax reform bill isn’t around the corner—it’s going to take all of next year and perhaps longer to finish. In the meantime, the tax filing season is almost here and the House, which has the constitutional duty to initiate revenue measures, has so far done nothing. This defeats the purpose of WOTC which is to help veterans, the disabled, the homeless, long-term unemployed, at-risk youth, low-income seniors, ex-felons, welfare and food stamp recipients find jobs and save the government money at the same time.”
“Studies have shown that savings on welfare, food stamps, and lower incarceration alone will more than pay for the entire cost of WOTC. It’s the most cost-effective jobs program because it operates through private sector employers and the government’s cost is capped so employers pay all but around $1,400 of compensation cost for each hire. Will you commit to work with House leaders to make passing an extenders bill that renews WOTC top priority when you return after the election? This is what we are asking and what the Congress needs to get done.”
We’ve enclosed the latest fiscal year 2013 Department of Labor statistics on job placements by target group for each state so you’ll be able to say to what extent your state participates.
We’ll be in touch with you daily to coordinate efforts on primary targets like House leaders and Ways and Means members. We can also answer questions your congressman may raise, and welcome any feedback from your contacts.
PAUL E. SUPLIZIO
President, WOTC Coalition
WOTC Coalition Republican Lobbying Targets For Election Period 2014
WOTC State Statistics For FY 2013
