LIADA Newsletter March 2001
Bankruptcy Battle in Senate
Senate debate on S. 420, the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2001, heated up with liberal Senators voicing their ardent complaints. The bill, introduced by Senator Grassley (R-IA), is meant to crack down on abuse of the bankruptcy system by "deadbeat" debtors and repeat filers.
Companion legislation in the House, spearheaded by Rep. George Gekas (R-PA), is expected to come up for debate sometime soon.
Liberal opposition, spearheaded by Senators Wellstone (D-MN), Kennedy (D-MA, and Durbin (D-IL), among others, centers around the harshness of the legislation directed at Americans forced into bankruptcy by, for instance, major medical problems, divorce, or natural disaster.
The bill would impose on bankruptcy filers limits on filing, revocation of relief, and (at the filer's expense) credit counseling. Senator Wellstone said that proponents of the bill assume that "people who have been put under because of cancer, diabetes, or some kind of horrible injury can counsel away these conditions. They are not in financial difficulty because they need credit counseling!"
ADAction: Urge your Senators to vote down reform that does not include safeguards for debtors with honest problems, such as huge medical bills.
Corporate America Wins Big
In the first real glimpse into the frighteningly tight relationship between Big Business and Republicans in both Congress and the White House, both the Senate and House voted to remove OSHA's 2000 ergonomics safety standards.
Following the 56-44 Senate vote bv less than 24 hours, the House voted 223-206 to kill the worker protection
regulations. The legislation now goes to the White House, where business friendly President Bush is expected to sign it. These standards, which OS HA promulgated in November 2000, came after ten years of intense scientific study. Their purpose was to combat workplace injuries stemming from repetitive motion, force, awkward postures, and contact stress.
Big business has strongly opposed the regulations as too stringent and expensive. Corporate lobbyists mounted a blitzkrieg over the last two weeks to convince legislators to revoke the standards. The partisan-toned victory was an especially sweet one for American business, who had poured million of dollars into electing a Republican President and Republican Congress in 2000.
The overwhelming speed of the legislation was most remarkable. as the House took a vote after only one hour of debate. In the Senate, all 50 Republicans voted to scuttle the standards. They were joined by Democratic Senators Baucus (MT), Breaux (LA), Landrieu (LA), Rollings (SC), Lincoln (AR), and Miller (GA). In the House, 13 brave Republicans broke ranks to oppose the repeal, while 16 Democrats voted in favor.
The result: thousands of painful and debilitating workplace injuries can be anticipated annually,
Newly elected presidents Capt. Mary H. McWilliams of the United Statew Coast Guard (left) and Bernie Bellush congratulate Lottie Friedman (right) upon her retirement after serving as chapter secretary for over two decades.
SAVE SUNDAY, MAY 6, FOR A TOWN HALL MEETING
With COMPTROLLER H. CARL McCALL
Where are Albany and Washington going?
Why is our state both prosperous and sick?
Are we doing well?
How can we win in November?
Come! Listen! Question! Speak Out!
Sun., May 6th at 10:30 AM 44 South Drive, Great Neck Nr. Bayview Ave-Cutter Mill Rd. intersection on grounds of Jewel & Bernie Bellush Bagels and..................
RSVP-Tel: 487-4091-Seats are limited
Please Pay Your Dues for 2001
Send your check of: $45 for single; $60 for dual membership and $25 for limited income. Please mail check to:
LONG ISLAND ADA
44 South Dr.,
Great Neck, NY 11021.