Industry Advocacy
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The MHRA is the voice of the industries at all levels of government. From the city/county level to the state legislature, the MHRA government affairs team monitors legislation that could potentially impact the hospitality and restaurant industries and takes action to protect and promote them.
The MHRA also supports the government affairs efforts of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) at our nation's capitol. The MHRA also works directly with Mississippi's U. S. Senators and Representatives on federal legislation with the goal of protecting and promoting our industries at the federal level.
We invite you to join our efforts at Restaurants Act, the restaurant industry’s grassroots and resource center– a one-stop hub for restaurants, employees, customers, and industry partners.
The MHRA also supports the government affairs efforts of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) at our nation's capitol. The MHRA also works directly with Mississippi's U. S. Senators and Representatives on federal legislation with the goal of protecting and promoting our industries at the federal level.
We invite you to join our efforts at Restaurants Act, the restaurant industry’s grassroots and resource center– a one-stop hub for restaurants, employees, customers, and industry partners.
Key Accomplishments in the 2022 Mississippi Legislative Session:
Senate Bill 2844- New ABC Warehouse
The Governor signed into law Senate Bill 2844, which appropriates $55 million for the construction of a new ABC warehouse. It also allows for a contract to be entered into with a third-party company to manage operations at the warehouse. With a larger, climate-controlled warehouse, and all modernized computer/software systems and equipment, we hope to see the issues surrounding the purchase and delivery of wine and spirits in our state eliminated. This also included a $.25/case delivery fee and $1.00/case bailment fee.
House Bills 1529 and 1685- RRF State Tax Exemption
HB 1529 enacted into law the non-taxable status of federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Attached to the Pregnancy Resources Act at the last minute, HB 1685 allows for the tax-deductibility of related expenses from the use of RRF funds.
Current Federal Policy Issues:
• Workforce: Essential Workers for Economic Advancement -Pass The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to advance and pass the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 7239) People are the restaurant industry’s greatest asset, making it more diverse than any other sector in the economy and one of the most innovative and adaptive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the shortage in workers before and during the pandemic has made it incredibly difficult for restaurants to recruit and retain employees. Introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) in March 2022, the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement (EWEA) Act will expand the country’s workforce, specifically in occupations that provide growth opportunities and career paths without a college degree. The restaurant industry still hasn’t regained hundreds of thousands of jobs lost from the pandemic, and the contributions that EWEA employees make will help grow the industry’s economic impact. Just as important, EWEA employees will acquire valuable skills that can be utilized throughout their careers.
• ERTC Reinstatement Act- Pass – The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to pass the bipartisan ERTC Reinstatement Act (H.R. 6161, S. 3625) A valuable COVID-19 relief tool, the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) came to a premature end in the fall of 2021 when the restaurant recovery was going in reverse. According to a January 2022 National Restaurant Association survey, 60% of restaurants experienced losses of 20% or more in Q4 (Oct.-Dec. 2021), making them eligible for the ERTC.
• Preserve Tip Credit -The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to preserve the tip credit and tipping system, which has been a driving force in creating prosperity for workers and owners.
The Issue
According to new research from the National Restaurant Association, waitstaff at full-service restaurants earn a median of $27 an hour, with the highest-paid tipped employees making $41.50. Maintaining the longstanding tip credit and tipping system provides tipped employees with greater earning potential and restaurant owners with the capability to reinvest in non-tipped employees and their businesses. Eliminating the tip credit and tipping system would force restaurants to switch to an hourly wage system that would ultimately reduce earnings, employee hours, and the number of employees. It would also go against the wishes of hardworking employees and the public. Tipped employees, restaurant owners, and customers have made it clear: the tip credit and current tipping system work.
The Ask
Encourage members of both the House and Senate to oppose efforts to eliminate the tipped wage.
MHRA Political Action Committee
No policy decision happens in a vacuum. There is a ripple effect on most issues that will ultimately touch our businesses.
With elections pending this fall, we need to make sure our best interests are represented by individuals of all parties. Individuals who are sensitive to our positions and understand how they affect our industries.
This is why we respectfully ask for your financial support of the MHRA's Political Action Committee. Our PAC provides bi-partisan support of candidates whose platforms and positions are consistent with those of our industries.
Every PAC donation helps us protect our industries from harmful legislation and provides us with a foundation for getting positive, proactive and meaningful legislation passed.
Please make your checks payable to:
MHRA PAC
11 Northtown Dr., Ste. 125
Jackson, MS 39211
For further information, please email patfontaine@msra.org
Senate Bill 2844- New ABC Warehouse
The Governor signed into law Senate Bill 2844, which appropriates $55 million for the construction of a new ABC warehouse. It also allows for a contract to be entered into with a third-party company to manage operations at the warehouse. With a larger, climate-controlled warehouse, and all modernized computer/software systems and equipment, we hope to see the issues surrounding the purchase and delivery of wine and spirits in our state eliminated. This also included a $.25/case delivery fee and $1.00/case bailment fee.
House Bills 1529 and 1685- RRF State Tax Exemption
HB 1529 enacted into law the non-taxable status of federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Attached to the Pregnancy Resources Act at the last minute, HB 1685 allows for the tax-deductibility of related expenses from the use of RRF funds.
Current Federal Policy Issues:
• Workforce: Essential Workers for Economic Advancement -Pass The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to advance and pass the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 7239) People are the restaurant industry’s greatest asset, making it more diverse than any other sector in the economy and one of the most innovative and adaptive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the shortage in workers before and during the pandemic has made it incredibly difficult for restaurants to recruit and retain employees. Introduced by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) in March 2022, the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement (EWEA) Act will expand the country’s workforce, specifically in occupations that provide growth opportunities and career paths without a college degree. The restaurant industry still hasn’t regained hundreds of thousands of jobs lost from the pandemic, and the contributions that EWEA employees make will help grow the industry’s economic impact. Just as important, EWEA employees will acquire valuable skills that can be utilized throughout their careers.
• ERTC Reinstatement Act- Pass – The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to pass the bipartisan ERTC Reinstatement Act (H.R. 6161, S. 3625) A valuable COVID-19 relief tool, the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) came to a premature end in the fall of 2021 when the restaurant recovery was going in reverse. According to a January 2022 National Restaurant Association survey, 60% of restaurants experienced losses of 20% or more in Q4 (Oct.-Dec. 2021), making them eligible for the ERTC.
• Preserve Tip Credit -The Restaurant Industry urges Congress to preserve the tip credit and tipping system, which has been a driving force in creating prosperity for workers and owners.
The Issue
According to new research from the National Restaurant Association, waitstaff at full-service restaurants earn a median of $27 an hour, with the highest-paid tipped employees making $41.50. Maintaining the longstanding tip credit and tipping system provides tipped employees with greater earning potential and restaurant owners with the capability to reinvest in non-tipped employees and their businesses. Eliminating the tip credit and tipping system would force restaurants to switch to an hourly wage system that would ultimately reduce earnings, employee hours, and the number of employees. It would also go against the wishes of hardworking employees and the public. Tipped employees, restaurant owners, and customers have made it clear: the tip credit and current tipping system work.
The Ask
Encourage members of both the House and Senate to oppose efforts to eliminate the tipped wage.
MHRA Political Action Committee
No policy decision happens in a vacuum. There is a ripple effect on most issues that will ultimately touch our businesses.
With elections pending this fall, we need to make sure our best interests are represented by individuals of all parties. Individuals who are sensitive to our positions and understand how they affect our industries.
This is why we respectfully ask for your financial support of the MHRA's Political Action Committee. Our PAC provides bi-partisan support of candidates whose platforms and positions are consistent with those of our industries.
Every PAC donation helps us protect our industries from harmful legislation and provides us with a foundation for getting positive, proactive and meaningful legislation passed.
Please make your checks payable to:
MHRA PAC
11 Northtown Dr., Ste. 125
Jackson, MS 39211
For further information, please email patfontaine@msra.org
Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association
11 Northtown Dr., Suite 125, Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 420-4210
11 Northtown Dr., Suite 125, Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 420-4210
© 2022 Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association. All rights reserved.