WFCA Reports on Current DC Lobbying Efforts

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WFCA Reports on Current DC Lobbying Efforts

Dalton, GA, September 10, 2018-As part of an ongoing effort to ensure that member flooring dealers and contractors are represented in Washington, the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), along with its team of lobbyists, are actively advocating on their behalf.

WFCA’s chief executive officer, Scott Humphrey; WFCA general counsel, Jeffrey King; and Lobbyit, the Association’s retained lobbying group, regularly meets with U.S. Senators and Representatives, their staffs, and various regulatory agencies to advocate for the professional flooring dealer and contractor.

Below is an update on some of the key activities and proposals Scott Humphrey, Jeffrey King and Lobbyit have been focused on in 2018:

* Remote Sales Tax Collection: As internet sales of flooring have steadily risen, WFCA has continued to advocate that Internet sellers be required to collect sales tax just as local brick-and-mortar stores do as part of their effort to “level the playing field.”

* Overtime for Managers: WFCA continues to work on behalf of members to protect them from legislation and regulations that can affect a company’s bottom line. This work includes recent adjustments made by the Department of Labor regarding overtime pay for managers.

* Tariffs: After querying membership, the WFCA determined that it will not oppose tariffs on flooring products imported from China.

* Independent Contractors: The issue of using “independent contractors” has been a major concern for the flooring dealer and contractor, with agencies applying different and inconsistent standards. WFCA has taken a number of steps to address this issue: submitting comments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a case involving independent contractors.; actively opposing a recent bill labeled “The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act (H.R. 6189)”; and advocating for a single independent contractor standard for all federal agencies, which would eliminate the inconsistencies and create a safe harbor if a company’s actions are consistent with industry practices, such as the current practice of flooring retailers and contractors using independent installers.