ABC Raises $2,300 at $2,300 at PAC Fundraiser
Aran's Political Corner: Bill to Increase Limit for Small Business Loans
L&I’s Anti-fraud and Compliance Program Saves $128 Million, Up 3 Percent from a Year Earlier
Jeremy Stendera (left center) of APEX knew when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. He came into ABC’s sixth annual Texas Hold ‘em fundraiser as one of 25 participants, and came out as the 2010 champion!
On Wednesday January 20th, ABC members and staff gathered for a poker tournament in an effort to increase the ABC National PAC fund. Guests were treated to dinner, drinks, prizes, as well as a t-shirt commemorating the event.
By the end of the night, members had contributed $2,300! Proceeds will go to help elect business-friendly candidates, as well as fight costly legislation such as the Employee Free Choice Act.
Jeremy took home a wine gift pack for his first place effort. Brady Avery of The Blue Book of Building and Construction (on right in photo) took second also won a wine package, and Doug Jones of Haggard Electrical Contractors (on left in photo) took home a box of premium cigars for his third place effort. Doug also went “all in,” about halfway through the tournament knocking out ABC’s expert staff player, and claimed the bounty - a $50 gift certificate to Puetz Golf for his expert play.
ABC PAC fundraisers are a great way to get involved in the political process, network with other ABC members, or just have a fun night out. Want to reward a group of employees and also donate to a great cause? There are discounts for sending more than one person. ABC’s next fundraiser, “ABC Day at the Races,” is on Friday, May 14th. This third annual event is a fun-filled day at Emerald Downs in Auburn.
Along with participating in these exciting events, sponsorships are always available; they’re a great way to get your product or service in front of your fellow ABC members. If you would like to register or sponsor for future events, please contact Amy Gegoux at (800) 640-7789.
ABC would like to thank the following companies for their sponsorship of ABC’s Texas Hold ‘em Tournament: The Blue Book of Building and Construction, CHG Building Systems, Inc., United Systems Mechanical, LLC and Davis Schueller, Inc.
On December 11, Sen. Mary Landrieu and Sen. Olympia Snowe introduced a bill that would increase the small business loan limit to $5 million in an effort to stimulate job creation. The Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act of 2009 (S. 2869) would also extend fee eliminations and increased guarantees introduced under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for one year.
ABC, along with 54 other organizations, sent a letter to Congress supporting S. 2869 and urging both the U.S. House and Senate to support appropriations that would extend the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan provisions contained in ARRA.
The letter noted that although the stimulus provisions have made a significant difference, the funds are now exhausted and borrowers are on a waiting list in hopes of accessing remaining funds. The letter also urged Congress to act quickly so the SBA can regain its lending momentum.
“Access to credit remains a critical issue for small businesses today,” the letter stated. “The lack of credit availability for small businesses is slowing the recovery efforts and stalling the significant job creation potential of small business entrepreneurs.
“Small businesses cannot be the engine of our economy if they have to line up in a queue and wait to see if they can gain access to credit,” the letter continued. “Congress needs to act swiftly and restart the flow of credit to America’s job-creating small businesses or else these entrepreneurs will be left to sit on the sidelines.”
In addition to raising the maximum loan rate, the Senate bill will extend loan guarantee authorizations and eliminate fees for borrowers. On Nov. 2, the U.S. House of Representatives referred a similar bill, H.R. 3854, to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. H.R. 3854 contains an increase in maximum loan size to $3 million and does not contain any increases in guarantees.
In addition, on Dec. 16 Congress passed the Department of Defense appropriations bill which included a provision that allocates additional funds for the SBA 7(a) loan program to extend modifications contained in the stimulus package. The provision will keep the 90 percent guarantee on small business loans and will reduce or waive the loan fees through February 2010.
The fight against fraud in the workers’ compensation system brought in $128 million last year, according to a new report from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
The total includes recoveries of payments made as a result of fraud, as well as inadvertent overpayments to injured workers and health-care providers. The collection amount also includes payments from employers for delinquent or falsely reported premiums.
The fraud program’s collections in fiscal year 2009 increased by 3 percent over the previous year.
In addition, L&I avoided an estimated $5.9 million in future costs by uncovering and stopping fraudulent payments.
“Our results show that we continue to get better at catching fraud and abuse,” said Carl Hammersburg, manager of L&I’s Fraud Prevention and Compliance Program. “Each year we improve our ability to share data and analyze it, which means we can catch problems sooner.” L&I compares internal and external data while reviewing up to 2,000 claims each month that have been flagged as potentially fraudulent. As one example of increasing productivity, in 2009 the agency identified 56 percent more overpayments and questionable billings to health-care and vocational providers compared to the previous year.
L&I also referred 25 fraud cases for criminal prosecution, including 18 workers, four employers, and three health-care providers — with a 100 percent success rate.
In one fraud case, an anonymous tip led L&I to a SnohomishCounty man who had returned to work using his son’s Social Security number. At the same time, the man was collecting a pension for job-related injuries that supposedly prevented employment. He was sentenced to four months with work release and ordered to repay $60,000.
Another successful criminal case involved a Spokane painting contractor who must repay $212,000 in premiums and penalties. He was guilty of false reporting and cash payment of wages to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums.
The annual report, Targeting Fraud and Abuse, shows that Fraud Prevention and Compliance brings in about $8 for every dollar spent on preventing fraud and improving employer compliance with reporting requirements.
L&I’s fraud Website, www.Fraud.Lni.wa.gov, includes an online form for reporting fraud. Anyone who suspects fraud may also call L&I’s fraud hotline at (888) 811-5974.