The U.S. Travel Association named Geoff Freeman as its next president and CEO. Freeman most recently was president of the Consumer Brands Association and previously was chief operating officer at U.S. Travel. He will replace Roger Dow, who has helmed the travel trade group since 2005. Paul Sass joined Cassidy & Associates as a senior vice president working on infrastructure issues. Sass…
Author: Karl Evers-Hillstrom
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TECHNOLOGY Banned Chinese surveillance company Hikvision USA Inc. hired The Elevation Association to lobby on prohibitions on certain video surveillance equipment in the National Defense Authorization Act. Drew Willison, former chief of staff to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), will work on the account. Cryptocurrency exchange FTX hired Conaway Graves Group LLC to lobby on congressional and executive branch issues related…
Why companies think paying for abortion travel is worth it
The nation’s largest companies are pledging to cover employees’ travel expenses to access abortion services, deciding an additional benefit for workers in a tight labor market outweighs the threat of legal action from states that have criminalized abortion. Walt Disney, Comcast, PayPal, Nike and other major employers announced those benefits on Friday, shortly after the…
On The Money — Employers respond to Roe
Companies are responding to Friday’s stunning Supreme Court decision by implementing measures to help employees get access to legal abortion services. We’ll also look at how the decision could impact data privacy protections. Plus: We’ll dive into new home sales data and examine another massive crypto theft. Welcome to On The Money, your nightly guide…
Cannabis banking bill removed from China competition package
Congressional leaders have removed a key cannabis banking measure from their China competition bill, dealing a blow to marijuana advocates who pushed for its inclusion. The SAFE Banking Act, which would allow legally operating cannabis businesses to access banking services, was included in House Democrats’ COMPETES Act but not the Senate’s bipartisan U.S. Innovation and…
Chipotle workers in Maine file for chain’s first union election
Employees at a Chipotle Mexican Grill location in Augusta, Maine, filed a petition for a union election Wednesday in a first for the restaurant chain. “These workers are demanding safe, adequate staffing at their store. They filed today for union recognition as Chipotle United, an independent union,” the Maine AFL-CIO said in a tweet. Laurie…
Manufacturers, transportation groups push back on Biden gas tax proposal
Lobbying groups representing manufacturers, construction contractors and civil engineers on Wednesday criticized President Biden’s proposal to suspend the federal gas tax to combat sky-high fuel prices. The business groups argued that the effort won’t bring relief to consumers at the pump and could derail major transportation projects paid for by the Highway Trust Fund, which…
Lobbying world
Shari Yost Gold joined Invariant LLC as a senior adviser on the firm’s public affairs team. Yost Gold, who owns her own consulting firm, was a longtime adviser and campaign consultant for Vice President Harris dating back to her time as California attorney general. Julie Dunne joined Monument Advocacy as a principal. Dunne previously served…
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TRADE Target Corp. hired Cornerstone Government Affairs Inc. to lobby on issues related to trade, importation of infant baby formula, data privacy, trademarks, supply chains, corporate tax policy, budget reconciliation and measures in the China competition bill. Christopher Hodgson, former deputy floor director for House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), will work on the account. …
Why high housing costs could keep climbing
Sky-high mortgage rates and a construction slowdown could push record rents and home prices even higher, further threatening housing affordability for millions of Americans. Economists say that rising mortgage rates should cool down the housing market’s red-hot price appreciation in the short term but are also likely to drive up rents. New construction of houses…