Spring 2018

20  • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters • Spring 2018 LEGISLATIVE CORNER STATE FEDERAL LOCAL State Items GOVERNOR’S BUDGET ADDRESS Gov. Wolf in February made a brief budget address, which included $1 billion in extra spending. His proposal includes the following provisions of interest: • Increase in the minimum wage to $12/hour. • An additional $100 million for public schools, $40 million for early childhood education, $20 million for special education, $15 million for state universities, and $50 million for job training. • The earmarks for tourism were eliminated and the tourism office was flat-funded at $4.067 million. GOV. WOLF PROPOSES OVERTIME CHANGES Gov. Wolf has announced, because of federal inaction, his intention to update Pennsylvania’s overtime regulations to eventually be as broad-sweeping as the Obama Administration’s proposal. His plan, scheduled to be officially released in March, would increase the overtime eligibility threshold from $23,660 to $47,892 over the course of four years. The threshold would adjust every three years after that. PRLA Three-Year Plan On January 23, PRLA’s Alcohol Service, Government Affairs, and Lodging & Tourism committees met to review and update the association’s legislative agenda. This year’s priorities are as follows: JANUARY–JUNE 2018 Top priorities with goal of final passage • Close the online travel company loophole • Online home sharing legislation • Tie an increase in the tourism line- item to the potential $50 million that would come to the state from the above Non-legislative items/research • Develop a strategy relating to the Governor’s proposed overtime regulations • Hold an alcohol service retreat to determine PRLA’s future priorities relating to alcohol reform, privatization and licensing • Continue to work with the PLCB on shipment of SLOs and regular products JULY–DECEMBER 2018 Non-legislation items/research • Research and start coalition building on “Keep Summers Sacred” legislation • Research how other states handle service animals • Stay apprised of legislative and policy changes going into the new session