Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Posts for January 19, 2011


Today in Manufacturing
China is a crucial source of profits for U.S. businesses but product piracy, red-tape and other problems remain serious obstacles ... continue


EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HAVE HARMED ECONOMIC GROWTH
National Association of Manufacturers
President's Review of Regulations a Positive Step for Job Growth

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Aric Newhouse issued the following statement regarding President Obama's executive order to review federal regulations harming economic growth:

"Manufacturers appreciate President Obama's call for a government-wide review of regulations and rules. Manufacturers have been saying for some time that overregulation is harming job creation and stifling economic growth.

This is an opportunity for the President to demonstrate results by eliminating unnecessary regulations already in the pipeline or delaying poorly thought-out proposals that are costing jobs.

For example, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposals -- from regulating greenhouse gases to the Boiler MACT rule - are a real threat to America's job creators. We stand ready to assist in the President's efforts to address an escalating problem and meaningfully reduce unnecessary burdens on manufacturers in America so they can get back to creating jobs."


NAM RESPONDS TO COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM
NAM President Jay Timmons responded to the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Chairman Issa, in response to his request for recommendations from business on issues to address. The text of that response letter follows:
NAM's Response



Today in Manufacturing
The White House said Wednesday that China would purchase $45 billion in U.S. exports, including a highly-sought after $19 billion deal for 200 Boeing airplanes ... continue



Today in Manufacturing
Shares of steel makers fell after an analyst cautioned that the recent rise in steel prices could stall in 2011, slowing growth for the entire sector ... continue



Today in Manufacturing
AFL-CIO president says politicians are too obsessed with trying to cut spending when they should be investing in stimulus projects that will create new jobs ... continue


OSHA WITHDRAWS BURDENSOME NOISE STANDARDS
NAM
Manufacturers achieved a significant victory today. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced that it is withdrawing its plan to impose new, burdensome and expensive workplace noise standards on America’s businesses. OSHA’s retreat on this reflects the effort and persuasive objections raised by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and our member companies.

OSHA released its plan last October, and from the beginning, the NAM heard from our manufacturers how the proposal would seriously limit day-to-day operations. OSHA demanded that companies replace proven protections like ear plugs and noise-reducing headsets and instead upgrade their entire worksites to achieve noise limits. Manufacturers would have faced billions of dollars in new and unnecessary costs. OSHA also sought to impose these new standards outside the formal rulemaking process, using an “interpretation” process to evade accountability.

Our human resources policy team aggressively fought OSHA’s proposal. Joe Trauger, NAM’s Vice President of Human Resources Policy, and Keith Smith, NAM's Director of Employment and Labor Policy, worked Capitol Hill to build congressional opposition, and Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) championed our cause.

OSHA Administrator David Michaels said the agency will gather feedback through regulatory comments, hold a stakeholder meeting and initiate “a robust outreach and compliance assistance effort to provide enhanced technical information and guidance” for employers. The NAM will be heavily engaged in that process.

We welcome today’s OSHA announcement, and we will continue to push for this kind of reasonable and responsive regulation.

Jay Timmons
President & CEO

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