Masonry Magazine January 1974 Page. 14
Washington Wire
(Continued from page 13)
proved a comprehensive bill to guarantee earned benefits. But two House committees have been feuding over which has the jurisdiction. A minimum standard will be established for the vesting of pension benefits for preserving their pension rights even after employees leave their jobs. Pension plans will also be required to fund in order to meet liabilities.
Generous tax breaks will be given the self-employed who set up private plans. Even employees who want to save for their retirement will be given a tax incentive to do some planning.
A FAMILY-HEALTH PLAN for major illness may well be voted in 1974. Several health-insurance schemes have already been introduced in Congress. And the Nixon Administration will offer its own proposal early in the year. The White House plan calls for employers to pay for policies for workers.
But one Administration idea is certain to bring loud protests from workers-taxing them for employer-paid health premiums.
FOREIGN-TRADE LEGISLATION will be waiting. too, as Congress returns. The House has already passed a measure giving Nixon sweeping new authority. He can raise or lower tariff or nontariff barriers, negotiate trade deals, give aid to firms and workers hurt by imports, and levy import surcharges. But the President isn't entirely satisfied with the House-approved version. It prohibits trade credits and most-favored-nation treatment to the Soviets.
PROSPECTS OF PASSAGE OF A TRADE BILL remain uncertain in the Senate. Labor is very opposed to the bill and may be helped by oil-caused layoffs. Even some business groups are opposing the legislation because they fear this country will give away too much in negotiations starting in the fall.
A plan to hike taxes on U.S. firms operating abroad may be revived in the Senate after the House rejected the proposal.
IMPORTANT LABOR LEGISLATION may be enacted by the Congress this year. After failing in 1973, a higher minimum wage will be pressed by Democrats. But they'll probably have to compromise on a boost lower than $2 an hour. Nixon vetoed such an increase in 1973, and he remains strongly opposed to it. He thinks a hike to $2 immediately would only add to the nation's inflation.
Nixon may ask Congress to vote for a sizable expansion of unemployment compensation to help those forced out of work.
A CRACKDOWN ON STRIP-MINING OF COAL seems to be in the cards for 1974. Legislators are concerned about the ecological damage caused by such mining. The Senate has already voted out a tough measure. But mining lobbyists-claiming final passage would mean reduced mining during the energy crunch succeeded in getting the House to delay a vote on the bill until this year.
Among other things, the proposal would require reclamation of strip-mined land to its original contour and provide the funds to reclaim land stripped years ago and left barren.
A KEY CONSUMER-PROTECTION BILL may finally win approval this year. Democrats will make another try to establish a Consumer Protection Agency. But the President still remains cool to the idea of an independent agency. Nixon feels that White House Office of Consumer Affairs is all that's needed.
Congress will give serious attention to "no-fault" insurance for autos. Many legislators are convinced that a Federal, nationwide statute is needed. But the insurance industry is still very strongly opposed to pending bills. And Nixon says the states should handle the problem. But it could still pass.
CONGRESS WILL CONSIDER SWEEPING CHANGES in the entire criminal code, but it is unlikely that controversial revisions will be completed this year. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee has already drafted a criminal law measure, including plans to make capital punishment legal, to stiffen obscenity laws, to make it a crime to disclose classified data, and to tighten the drug laws.
A NEW WELFARE-REFORM PROPOSAL will be submitted to Congress by Nixon. The bill may be broader and more expensive than his Family Assistance Plan. It will be based on an income-maintenance pledge, assuring a minimum income. Benefits for a family of four would start at $2,400 and range up to $4,000. The Nixon Administration is very dismayed by rising costs of food stamps. It feels the new welfare program will make it possible to eliminate them.
The White House wants a nationally uniform level of welfare benefits. By matching or exceeding benefits paid by states, it hopes to eliminate the varied and costly state programs.
Moving Display for MCAA on W. Coast
Elvie Hall, wife of Lloyd M. Hall, president of the Central California chapter of MCAA, points to her husband's unique new license plate embossed with "MCAA." Hall, who operates Lloyd M. Hall Masonry in Downey, Calif., also has another license plate with MCAA-H which, he says, can double either as Hall or Region H of MCAA.