http://www.savesmallbusiness.org/

Save Small Business
Update — April 10, 2007
NEW H-2B GUIDANCE FROM DOL
I am sending to you the new H-2B guidance issued by the Department of Labor for FY2008 and beyond. It is called a "TEGL", a Training and Education Guidance Letter signed by the Assistant Secretary of Labor.

As everyone knows, this year has been marked by a great deal of confusion and chaos at the Department of Labor, especially at the Atlanta National Processing Center. DOL has received a great deal of heat from Senators and Representatives, and it appears that this new guidance is one of DOL's efforts to show that it is doing something to address the problems that came up.

We are in the process of carefully reviewing the TEGL, and we will be very interested to hear from DOL officials how they see the H-2B Labor Certifications process changing in the coming year as a result of this guidance. DOL will likely hear an earful at the May 1 and May 4 H-2B meetings in Chicago and Atlanta.

Charge On.

Hank Lavery

4. 2007 Save Small Business expected to be filed Friday, 3/30. Permanent Fix is expected in House bill

Representatives Stupak (Michigan), Musgrave (Colorado) and Gilchrest (Maryland), together with many of their House colleagues, are expected to file the House version of the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2007. The filing could come as soon as Friday (March 30). The bill reportedly extends the Returning Worker Exemption FOREVER! Stay tuned - we will let you know when it becomes official.
5. Amendment by Senator Leahy was introduced with Iraq War supplemental for emergency increase of H-2B visas for this year only

Senator Patrick Leahy, an early and consistent supporter of our efforts, has led efforts to try to include in the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations bill language to provide additional H-2B visas for 2007 only. This is the bill that the President is likely to veto, so even if the provision gets in this it may not help. HOWEVER, this is something that gives all of us who are in tough shape this year some hope that relief may be possible.

That's it for now. New H-2B Bills. Emergency help. And efforts to begin resolving the confusion at DOL. It has been a very hectic week.

Stay tuned. Keep in touch. Most of all . . . .

CHARGE ON!!!!

Hank Lavery