U.S. House Votes to Repeal 3% withholding on contracts for goods and services

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday voted 405-16 in favor of repealing Section 511 of Public Law No. 109-222, which mandates a requirement that federal, sate and local governments withhold 3 percent of their payments on contracts for goods and services.

On several occasions MAPPS has urged the IRS to eliminate the 3 percent withholding.

The bill will now wait for a vote in the Senate before a final approval from President Obama.

Unlike some more controversial bills that have been passed through the House, this bill has had support by both parties. President Obama had included a delay in the effective date of the withholding in his recently unveiled jobs package.

UPDATE:

On Thursday, November 10 the U.S. Senate voted 95-0 to repeal the 3% withholding on federal, state and local contracts as part of an amendment to provide tax credits to companies that hire veterans. The bill must go back to the House for a final vote.

The amendment would offer up tot $5,600 in tax credits to companies that hire veterans who have been searching for work for more than six months and up to $9,600 to those who hire long-unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.

The full measure is expected to be taken up by the House next week without much opposition and sent to the President for final signature. Both issues were part of President Obama's jobs plan which provides a bi-partisan agreement. 

From POB Magzine: The Business of MAPPS - PODCAST

From POB Magazine:

April 4, 2011

The world of professional associations is becoming increasingly complex. How can you choose which organizations are the best fit for you and your firm? A new podcast series goes behind the scenes with the executive directors to help you navigate the labyrinth. In this episode, POB talks to John Palatiello, executive director of MAPPS, who explains why the organization is described as focusing on "the business of maps."

Listen to the Full Podcast: Association Series, Episode 1 - The Business of MAPPS

From POB Editor: HOW THE FTC COULD SHUT DOWN YOUR BUSINESS

"This is from POB Editor Christine Grahl, originally posted on SIGHT LINES, a blog on RPLS.com. Grahl offers insights on issues of interest to surveying and mapping professionals."

Welcome to this week's edition of the POB eNews ...

When Congress failed to pursue several pieces of privacy legislation proposed or introduced in 2010, many in the surveying and mapping professions breathed a sigh of relief. A proposed draft of legislation introduced in May by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), which was intended to protect personal privacy, would have unintentionally limited the data that could be collected for a broad range of geospatial applications. The language in the bill was far too vague. A similar bill with equally ambiguous language -- HR 5777, the Best Practices Act -- was introduced in July by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), but it, too, stalled out. It appeared that all the concern about these proposals had merely been false alarms.

However, new threats loom on the horizon, this time from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Commerce Department. In an FTC staff report issued on Dec. 1, 2010, titled "Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change," the FTC proposes regulations and policies that could, in essence, shut down the geospatial community.

"There are two major problems with this proposal," said John Palatiello, executive director of MAPPS. "This proposal (like legislation that was introduced but not acted upon by Congress) uses the very broad term 'precise geolocation data' but does not define the term. This is very dangerous. Also, to require that any geospatial firm get 'affirmative express consent' from every citizen about whom precise geolocation data is to be collected is impractical to the point of being impossible. This is not just data about an individual but any 'precise geolocation data.' This would require every citizen to be contacted and approval obtained before parcel data is collected, or imagery, or elevation data or any other geolocation data."

MAPPS, an association of photogrammetry, mapping and geospatial firms that has a strong record of advocacy, submitted a detailed letter on Jan. 4 to the chairman of the FTC, outlining the areas of concern and urging the FTC to remove any reference to "precise geolocation data," more specifically and exactly define the term, and/or include an exemption that would prevent the regulations from harming geospatial businesses.

Palatiello is also encouraging everyone involved in surveying and mapping to review the details of the proposal and submit comments to the FTC prior to the Jan. 31, 2011, deadline.

A report from the U.S. Commerce Department issued on Dec. 16 is raising similar red flags, and Palatiello expects additional legislation to be introduced in 2011 as personal privacy in an era of increased information sharing remains a concern.

"These proposals are poorly written, do not define precise geolocation data, and have serious unintended consequences for industries and professions beyond those these federal authorities are attempting to regulate," Palatiello said. "This is a significant issue and one that we need to address with a unified voice."

What do you think? Will you get involved? Share your thoughts in my Sight Lines blog.

Have a proactive week.
Kristi Grahl, POB Editor