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The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007: H.R.1843/S.988
BACKGROUND
Non-agricultural employers needing to hire foreign workers on a seasonal basis have no alternative but to go through the H-2B visa program, a complex and convoluted process that works effectively to ensure that there are no available US workers. No US employer would go through the great expense and time commitment involved in the H-2B visa process if there were US workers available to meet seasonal hiring needs.
In each of the last three years - 2004, 2005 and 2006 - small and seasonal employers across America faced disaster when the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the 66,000 H-2B visa cap had been met. The H-2B emergency hit communities with particular ferocity and caused severe economic consequences. In 2004 there was no help, but in 2005 and again in 2006 Congress acted quickly, passing the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Acts of 2005 and 2006, which exempted returning workers from the cap.
The Save Small Business Act expired on September 30, 2007. No longer are law-abiding employers and workers exempt from the cap. The 2007 Save Small Business Bill before Congress puts the exemption back in place, and also prescribes harsh penalties for employers who try to cheat the system. The bipartisan solution crafted by Congress is fair, right and effective, and supported by a distinguished group of Republicans and Democrats spanning the entire political specter. The 2005 and 2006 Acts passed both the Senate and House with overwhelming majorities. With the expiration of the Exemption, Congress must act again to extend this Act, hopefully this time for at least another five years.
America's mobile amusement companies and their families cry out to Congress to act before adjourning for the holidays.
TALKING POINTS
The "Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007" (H.R.1843 and S.988) extends the H-2B Returning Worker Exemption through FY2012 (the House Bill removes the artificial sunset provision completely).
Congress's failure to retain the H-2B Returning Worker exemption has now put in peril thousands of workers in America's mobile amusement industry, affecting fairs, festivals and community carnival and circus events.
Not only are full-time American jobs threatened by Congress's FAILURE TO ACT, the Mobile amusement industry ride manufacturers and supply companies are also threatened. If America's carnivals, circuses and independent ride owners cannot get the workers they need, they will be forced to cut-back operations, cancel orders for trucks, equipment and supplies, which will result in losses totaling millions of dollars.
Congress should show America's family business owners in the mobile amusement industry, the same respect over the past several years that our industry has shown the US legal system and for the legal, non-immigrant flow of temporary, seasonal workers.
The crisis is worsening. To avoid serious consequences in the mobile amusement industry, Democratic and Republican leaders in both Houses need to pass the Returning Worker Exemption before Congress adjourns for the holidays.
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The Baltimore Sun
October 17, 2007
Senate Extends Provisions of Visa Program
WASHINGTON // The Senate voted last night to extend the special provisions of a visa program that enable Maryland's seafood and cannery industries to hire the same foreign workers year after year. The provisions exempt returning workers from the national cap of 66,000 H2B visas for non-skilled laborers per year, and staggers the visas among spring and summer employees. Maryland Democrat Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, who has championed the provisions, said she would continue working to make the provisions permanent. The exemption for returning workers expired Sept. 30, provoking anxiety among businesses worried that they would not be able to hire the foreign laborers on which they rely next year. The legislation that passed last night as part of the Senate spending bill for commerce, justice and science would extend the exemption through next Sept. 30. The Senate bill must be reconciled with a House version, and the final legislation must be signed by President Bush. 
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Enjoy Tom not only in the ShowTime Magazine
but weekly right here!
weekly "on the earie"
by Tom Powell, OABA Ambassador
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| OABA Announces
By Patty A. Sullivan
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Produced for children ages 6-12, this 8-minute video includes safe behavior while visiting the carnival midway, starts with family at home preparing to go to a fair and instructs children as to what clothes and shoes to wear, rules to follow for ride safety and general safe behavior.
$10 per video. Price includes priority mail shipping.
Method of payment: by check, money order, VISA or MasterCard
Make payment to:
OABA, 1035 S. Semoran Blvd., Suite 1045A
Winter Park, FL 32792 or fax to 407-681-9445
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To encourage the growth and preservation of the
outdoor amusement industry through leadership,
legislation, education and membership services. |
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