Washington Update: Request for Relief from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Overtime Proposal; Urging Strong 302(b) Allocations; and Support of Increased Labor, HHS, and Education Funding

APLU recently sent Congress a letter expressing concern with the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed changes to the exemptions to the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (FLSA) overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, and professional employees; a letter thanking House and Senate Appropriations leaders for giving priority to research and higher education programs in the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act; and joined a letter calling for a higher allocation for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee in FY2017.

Public Employers ask for Relief from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Overtime Proposal

APLU and other organizations recently sent Congress a letter expressing concern with the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed changes to exemptions from the Fair Labor Standard Act’s (FLSA) overtime pay requirements. In addition to other changes, the Department of Labor proposes to increase the minimum income threshold for exemptions for certain employees from $23,660 to $50,400. .

The letter urges members of Congress to contact the Department and the administration and request they reconsider the rule and make adjustments in accordance with the public comments they have received. While APLU supports an increase in the minimum salary threshold, the proposed increase of 113 percent simply goes too far. Additionally, any large increase should be implemented over a number of years rather than all at once. APLU is in contact with the administration to highlight impacts to universities and advocate for relief.

Letter Urges Strong 302(b) Allocations in FY 2017

APLU, the Association of American Universities (AAU), and the American Council on Education (ACE) recently sent a letter thanking House and Senate Appropriations leaders for giving priority to research and higher education programs in the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The letter also urges the leaders to ensure strong 302(b) allocations for the relevant subcommittees in FY 2017, as that would enable the subcommittees to provide substantial funding levels to the various important research and higher education programs.

More than 650 State, Local, and National Groups Sign 302(b) Letter in Support of Increased Labor, HHS, and Education Allocation

Additionally, APLU recently joined the Coalition for Health Funding, Committee for Education Funding, Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce, and more than 650 other organizations in calling for a higher allocation for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee in FY2017.

The letter states that “despite their profound impact on health and well-being, child development, educational and skills attainment, and productivity, programs and services of the ‘Labor-HHS’ spending bill continue to be short-changed in the annual appropriations process,” and warns that underfunding such programs and agencies could be detrimental to scientific discovery, public health, and student achievement.