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| Wilson Works for Fair Regulation to Promote Jobs |
May 19, 2004 |
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OSHA Improvements Give Recourse to Small Businesses
Albuquerque, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson is working for fair regulation for the small businesses that create eight of every 10 new jobs.
Wilson voted today for four bills that improve the Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) services to small businesses. The four bills were approved by the House of Representatives, and will now await action by the Senate.
“Government can`t create wealth, but it can create the conditions for small businesses and entrepreneurs to create jobs. That means fair regulations and lower taxes,” Wilson said.
Today’s action would make four important improvements:
Restores independent review. H.R. 2730 passed 224-204 ensures that the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), the judicial entity, is independent of OSHA, the prosecutorial entity.
Adds flexibility. H.R. 2728 (passed 251-177) gives the Review Commission authority to grant exceptions to the 15-day deadline, so small businesses can have their day in court. Employers have 15 days to file responses to OSHA citations, but currently the law makes no allowance for mistakes or other issues that could lead to an extended deadline.
Strengthens the Commission. H.R. 2729 adds two members to the Review Commission to bring the total to five. Currently, one member’s absence can prevent action. Adding members will make a quorum more likely.
Allows recovery of attorney fees. H.R. 2731 allows a small business who successfully challenges a citation to recover attorney fees. Currently, a small business could win a challenge, but still sustain financial loss. This action will also encourage OSHA to better assess a case’s merits before bringing unnecessary enforcement action.
Wilson says ensuring common-sense, fair regulation is an important part of building a climate in which small businesses can create jobs. The economy has had four straight quarters of strong growth. Payroll employment rose by 308,000 jobs in March, followed by 288,000 jobs in April. That makes 1.1 million new jobs in eight straight months of job growth.
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