The Society of American Florists is planning to take its federal advocacy work—and its annual legislative fly-in event, Congressional Action Days...
Washington Fundraiser Gives $20,000 Boost to SAFPAC
Attendees descending on Washington, D.C. last week for SAF’s Congressional Action Days showed their support for the association’s year-round...
Floral Pros ‘Show Off’ Size, Global Scope of Industry
Growers, wholesalers, retail florists and others with ties to the industry met with 70 congressional offices in Washington, D.C. on March 21 during...
SAF’s Advocacy Priorities: Renew the Farm Bill
Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. What issues are...
SAF’s Advocacy Priorities: Renewing GSP
Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. What issues are...
SAF’s Advocacy Priorities: Preserve Agriculture’s Workforce
Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. What issues are...
SAF’s Advocacy Priorities: Protect Floriculture Research Funding Increase
Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. Which issues are...
Bring Industry Priorities to Washington
Preserving a hard-fought increase in floriculture research funding dollars. Price certainty for fresh floral...
Join Your Peers in D.C. to Protect Industry Funding
The floral industry scored a victory this year with an additional $1 million annually for floriculture research, thanks to SAF’s advocacy efforts....
SAF Advocacy Push Secures Additional $1 Million for Floriculture Research
The floral industry will have an additional $1 million annually for floriculture research, thanks to SAF’s advocacy efforts. SAF’s members pushed...
Pendulum Swings Back on Independent Contractor Rules
If you have independent contractors on your payroll, it soon might be easier for those workers to claim “employee” status — and the benefits, such...
Senate Approves $1.5 Million Increase for Floriculture Research
Momentum is building for the industry to secure one of the largest funding increases in the history of the Floriculture Nursery & Research...
House Supports $1 Million Increase for Floriculture Research
The industry is one step closer to securing a big increase in floriculture research funding after the House announced it is in favor of a $1 million...
SAF Pushes Back on Potential Overtime Rule Changes
With current workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, and inflation pushing business operational costs higher, the Society of American...
Momentum Builds for FNRI Funding Increase
As Congress weighs budget priorities for 2023, the industry is “well positioned” to receive support for a funding increase for floriculture...
Amplify the Floral Industry’s Voice in Washington
More than 60 floral industry professionals will take to Capitol Hill next week to talk with legislators about key issues that are important to the...
Immigration Reform: Are We Making Progress?
Editor’s note: Advocating for the floral industry’s needs on Capitol Hill is a key priority for the Society of American Florists. What issues are...
USDA Revises Grower Aid Rules
Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is making changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) —...
Growers Share Secrets for Successful USDA Aid Applications
Want to take advantage of the aid available to floriculture growers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2), but don’t know where...
SAF Members Prep to Take Industry Messages to Washington
“Let’s Make Our Voices Heard Loud and Clear” is the floral industry’s call to action for the Society of American Florists’ 40th Annual Congressional...
House Passes Highly Anticipated Immigration Reform Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a bill that would streamline parts of the H-2A foreign guest-worker program and establish a path...
U.S., Mexico and Canada Finalize New Trade Deal
The United States, Mexico and Canada have finalized a trade deal to replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The pact...
Potential Pitfalls in Independent Contractor Classification
Many businesses have chosen to classify some on their payrolls as “independent contractors” instead of traditional employees. The distinction is...
Federal Government Seeks Grower Input on Hemp Production Program
The federal government is seeking input from growers on hemp production in the United States — and the Society of American Florists is encouraging...
SAF Explains New Federal Overtime Pay Regulations
Starting January 1, 2020, a new Department of Labor rule will make 1.3 million American workers eligible for overtime pay. What does the rule mean...
Labor Issues May Become Prominent in 2019
After two years of little action on labor issues in Washington with Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress and President Trump in the...
Tariffs Take Effect on Floral Containers from China
This week President Trump implemented the latest round of tariffs on imports from China, including floral containers and other packaging materials,...
Wage Increases Mandated For H-2A Workers
On December 26, 2018, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice which mandated new...
Senate Committee Backs Funding for FNRI, Floriculture Crops Report
The powerful Senate Appropriations Committee has signaled its support for two core issues backed by the Society of American Florists: increased...
SAF Continues To Grow Industry’s Influence in Washington
SAF participated in an event to support a key member of Congress with a family background in the floriculture industry, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)....
SAF Extends Influence of Floriculture In Washington
As the voice of the floral industry, SAF recently attended events in support of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith R-MS) and Representative Julia Brownley...
Executive Order Builds Momentum for Streamlined Biotech Regulations
President Trump signed an executive order this week in Iowa intended to streamline the regulatory process for genetically engineered agriculture....
SAF Offers Suggestions to Department of Labor on Proposed Overtime Rule
As noted previously in Week In Review, the Trump Administration proposed new overtime regulations. Although not nearly as burdensome as the rule...
U.S. Threatens Tariffs on All Goods from Mexico Starting Monday
In an effort to push Mexico to take steps to stem the surging tide in immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border, President Trump recently announced...
Federal Court Strikes Down Association Health Plans Rule
In a March 28, 2019 decision, a federal judge blocked a Trump Administration rule that would allow formation of Association Health Plans (AHPs). The...
USDA Publishes 2018 Floriculture Crops Summary
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently published the 2018 Floriculture Crops Summary — a report that came about as a direct result of lobbying...
SAF Offers Suggestions to Department of Labor on Proposed Overtime Rule
SAF and other groups representing small businesses joined together this week to provide comments on a proposed US Department of Labor (DOL) overtime...
SAF Continues to Increase Floral Industry’s Influence in Washington
In its role as the voice of the floral industry, SAF attended events in support of Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Mike Conaway (R-TX). Rep. Panetta...
President Trump Expresses Reservations about E-Verify
In a Fox News interview that aired last weekend, President Trump expressed reservations about E-Verify, an online tool from the federal government...
SBA Seeks Input from SAF Members in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee
Ever dream about the chance to talk face-to-face with key decision-makers about the federal regulations that most affect your business — without...
SBA Would Like To Hear From SAF Members About Their Regulatory Concerns
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host Regional Regulatory Reform Roundtables in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi during the...
California Bans Chlorpyrifos
California Governor Gavin Newsome announced California will ban the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos. The California Environmental Protection...
President Trump Unveils Immigration Reform Plan
In a Rose Garden address, President Trump unveiled his proposal to reform America’s immigration system calling it a plan “that puts the jobs, wages...
President Trump Raises Tariffs on Chinese Goods
A series of tweets issued by President Trump over the weekend added more uncertainty to trade talks between the United States and China. On May 5,...
SAF Maintains Floral Industry’s Influence in Washington
SAF participated in two events this week to express its support for two prominent members of Congress, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Rep. Rodney...
Immigration Action in Washington
The Trump administration has announced that it will issue an additional 30,000 H-2B non-agricultural seasonal work visas in fiscal year 2019 which...
Legislative Wins Bolster Excitement for Congressional Action Days
Securing $1 million in new funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), reinstating the Floriculture Crops 2018 Summary...
2019 Begins as 2018 Ended – With the Government Partially Shutdown
As noted in the December 21, 2018, Week In Review, the federal government partially shut down at midnight on that date because several...
Distinguished Correspondent to Kick Off Congressional Action Days
Acclaimed political analyst Reid Wilson will kick off the Society of American Florists’ 39th Annual Congressional Action Days on March 11. “We are...
2017 Census of Agriculture Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The census, taken only once every five years, is a complete...
SAF and AmericanHort Suggest Improvements to Census of Horticultural Specialties
SAF and AmericanHort submitted joint comments to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in response to its request for input about...
Democratic Leaders Discuss Infrastructure with President Trump
Democratic congressional leaders have said President Trump supports $2 trillion in infrastructure spending after a meeting at the White House...
Legislation Introduced to Radically Increase Estate Tax
A bill which would dramatically increase estate taxes has been introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). S. 309 is titled the “For the 99.8...
Democrats Appear Split on Minimum Wage
A key industry issue that Society of American Florists members discussed last month with lawmakers and congressional staff has been in the headlines...
SBA Would Like To Hear From SAF Members About The Overtime Rule
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host three Small Business Roundtables regarding the Department of Labor’s (DOL’S) proposed...
SAFPAC Promotes The Floral Industry
The Society of American Florists Political Action Committee (SAFPAC) is the power behind the advocacy punch of SAF. SAFPAC not only helps elect...
Dozens Gather in Washington to Lobby for Key Industry Issues
When Karen Fountain, AAF, of Flowers ‘n’ Ferns stepped into the office of Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) on the morning of Tuesday, March 12, she was...
Census of Horticultural Specialties Being Prepared
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) is preparing for the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties. The...
New Proposed Overtime Rule to Be Published
As noted previously in Week In Review, the Trump Administration will be proposing new overtime regulations. Unlike the Obama Administration’s rule...
Bill to Raise Federal Minimum Wage Introduced
A bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024 was introduced in the House and Senate on January 16. H.R. 582 would gradually...
Congress Funds Another Floriculture Priority
The recent federal spending bill that Congress approved to fund the government included $500,000 for the publication of the Floriculture Crops...
Major Social Security Changes Considered
Legislation that would dramatically increase Social Security taxes and benefits has been introduced in the House and Senate. Chairman of the House...
Increased Tariffs on Chinese Goods Delayed. Again.
Citing “substantial progress” in trade talks, President Donald Trump announced he is delaying the increase in tariffs on Chinese-made goods that had...
Lobbying Expert to Share Tips at Congressional Action Days
Participants in the Society of American Florists’ 39th Annual Congressional Action Days, March 11-12, will head to their congressional appointments...
House Holds Hearing On Needs of US Transportation Infrastructure
This week, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure held a hearing entitled “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our...
Political Journalist A.B. Stoddard to Speak at SAFPAC Dinner
Award-winning journalist A.B. Stoddard will headline the SAFPAC Reception and Dinner, Tuesday, March 12, offering her nonpartisan insight on the top...
First Timers Bring New Perspectives to Congressional Action Days
By attending CAD, you will see and hear vital information regarding the floral industry and so much more first hand. To receive first-hand...
Agriculture Inspection Monitoring Fee Increases
In keeping with the scheduled fee increases noted in an October 2015 rule, the Agriculture Quarantine Inspection (AQI) treatment monitoring fee...
E-Verify Unavailable Because Of Partial Government Shut Down
Although eighty-seven percent of employees at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are exempt from a lapse in government funding, the E-Verify...
The Legislative Year Ahead
Predicting legislative actions at the beginning of a new Congress is always a highly speculative effort but this year it’s even more...
As the Clock Ticks, Fears of Government Shutdown Increase
Following a prolonged budget impasse, the federal government was poised at press time to initiate a partial shutdown midnight on Friday. Earlier...
APHIS Cut Flowers and Greenery Import Manual Revised
The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has revised the Cut Flowers and Greenery Import Manual. The Costa Rica Lilium and...
After Surprise Court Ruling, More Confusion in Health Care
A surprise decision late last week from a U.S. District Court has added more confusion to the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — and the...
SAF Urges Congress to Pass Pesticide Registration Authorization
SAF, along with other agricultural groups, sent a letter this week to leaders of the Agricultural Committees in the House and Senate urging them to...
Midterm Election Report: Floral Industry Issues to Watch
A polarized country with a first-term president. A contentious battle for a Supreme Court seat, still fresh in many Americans’ minds. An increasing...
What Do Midterm Election Results Mean for the Floral Industry?
International trade agreements, border security and health care will be key issues facing the 116th Congress after this week’s headline-making...
Administration Proposes Increased Health Insurance Options
SAF met with a senior Trump Administration official and discussed the concerns about health care insurance choice and affordability faced by the...
Midterm Elections May Dramatically Shift Washington — or Not
Americans will go to the polls on November 6 and decide who will control the House and Senate. In 2016 conventional wisdom took a beating when...
USDA Changing the Way it Looks at Plants-for-Planting Imports
For decades, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has evaluated a subset (about 2 percent)...
SAF Members Can Determine Legislative Priorities of Floriculture Industry
SAF has developed a short survey so its members can weigh-in on their public policy priorities. Members of SAF proved that they are a powerful force...
SAF Needs Your Input on Public Policy Issues
In the wake of several high-profile accomplishments in Washington, SAF would like to get feedback about the public policy issues important to you....
Department of Transportation Considers Changes to Trucking Hours Rule
Most commercial truckers, including those in the floral industry, are required by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations to use...
Golfers Tee Up to Support SAF
Last Friday, SAF members took to the links in support of the Society of American Florists political and legislative activities during the 26th...
SAF Weighs In On The Proper Regulation of Pesticides
In response to a recent decision handed down from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos, SAF joined...
Listening Sessions For New Overtime Rule Scheduled
The Department of Labor (DOL) will conduct public listening sessions to gather input about a possible new rule on overtime compensation. The...
Potential Agreement on NAFTA Reached
The U.S. and Mexico have reached a preliminary agreement in principle to update the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the two...
SBA Would Like To Hear From SAF Members in Wyoming and Colorado
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host Regional Regulatory Reform Roundtables in Wyoming and Colorado during the week of August 6,...
House Ways and Means Committee Approves Multiple Health Care Bills
Last week the House Ways and Means Committee reviewed and approved 11 healthcare related bills which will now make their way to the House floor....
Senate Approves Its Farm Bill
The Senate passed its version of the five-year Farm Bill after it was initially slowed over trade and other issues. The measure was overwhelmingly...
Members of Congress Want to Visit You
Every day, Members of Congress make decisions that affect your business. However, most lawmakers do not know how a grower, a local florist, or a...
Trump Administration Issues Final Rule Allowing Association Health Plans
The Trump administration has published a rule that allows for expanded association health plans. The plans, known as AHPs, allow small-business...
House Passes Farm Bill
The House yesterday narrowly passed its version of the Farm Bill on a vote of 213 to 211. As noted in the May 24, 2018 Week in Review, the House...
SAF Opposes Card Check 2.0
SAF this week signed onto a letter to Congress opposing the “Workplace Democracy Act” (WDA) (S. 2810 and H.R. 5728), the most recent iteration of...
As Immigration Debate Intensifies, SAF Continues its Call for Reform
The Trump administration’s decision to enforce federal policies that result in the separation of children and parents who enter the U.S. illegally —...
In a Victory for Floral Industry, USDA to Publish 2018 Floriculture Crops Report
A key government report that provides critical data on floral industry products will be published in 2018 after a two-year hiatus. The U.S....
Proposed Farm Bill Offers More Protection for Flower Breeders
The Senate version of the Farm Bill includes language updating a law that protects the intellectual property of floral industry breeders. The...
Changes To Meals And Entertainment Tax Deductibility
As noted in the December 22, 2017 Week In Review, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act passed by Congress made significant changes to many portions of the tax...
More Progress On Floriculture Industry Priorities
Like the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI), requests by SAF and CAD attendees for the continued publication of the Floriculture...
At First Lady’s Luncheon, American Grown Flowers Take Center Stage
American Grown flowers were the subject of delight — and even friendly competition — for about 1,850 Congressional spouses and associates this week...
SAF to Participate in Federal Specialty Crop Research Plan
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invited SAF to represent the floral industry at a workshop...
Congresswoman Visits SAF Member Grower
When Rep. Julia Brownley visited The Sun Valley Group’s Oxnard, California, location on May 7, the congresswoman toured the company’s facility, met...
SAF Working to Protect Floral Innovation
The U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) needs to be modernized and updated. That’s the message SAF carried to the Senate this week during a...
IRS Imposing Fines On Businesses Over Health Coverage
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has notified more than 30,000 businesses throughout the country they are being penalized for not complying with...
Senators Send Letter Supporting Specialty Crops
A USDA program designed to help specialty crop producers, including flower and plant growers, gain access to safe, effective biological and chemical...
Legislation Introduced Recognizing Small Businesses
House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) and the committee’s ranking member Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) introduced H....
SAF Asked For Input To IRS
SAF has been asked to provide input to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the development of small business forums. The IRS is organizing forums...
Administration Rescission Package Hits Roadblocks
A White House effort to cut previously enacted spending, including that from the Omnibus spending bill signed by President Trump on March 23, has...
SAF Urges Congress To Support Crop Protection
SAF, along with other agricultural groups, has given its support to an effort by Sen. Bob Menedez (D-NJ) who is pressing for increased funding for...
Farm Bill Update
On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) released his draft text of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Chairman intends to...
NAFTA Deal Possible in Coming Weeks
NAFTA negotiators have made progress after seven rounds of meetings to discuss modernizing the trade agreement, and it appears there will be no...
IRS Restructuring Advances
Twelve bipartisan measures to restructure and reform the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were approved this week by the House Ways and Means...
CAD Participants to Ask Congress to Support Three Floral Issues
Asking Congress to protect floriculture’s workforce and invest in floral research is what nearly 100 retailers, growers, wholesalers and suppliers...
FNRI Receives Historic $1 Million in Funding
The Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) has received $1 million in funding through the omnibus spending bill approved by Congress...
SAF Members Notch Another Win
Because members of SAF met and educated their members of Congress during SAF’s Congressional Action Days, Congress has included significant support...
Stories from Capitol Hill: SAF Members Meet, Greet and Educate Lawmakers
Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Virginia-6) does not represent Mike Mooney. In fact, Goodlatte, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,...
APHIS Finalizes Rule For Imported Plants for Planting
SAF has learned that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be publishing a rule on Monday, March 19th that will have a large...
SAF Members Take to Congress – and the White House – During CAD
More than 90 Society of American Florists members representing all industry segments, three countries, 25 states and the District of Columbia,...
Remember to Complete Your CAD Surveys
Thanks to all SAF members who took time from their schedules to attend SAF’s Congressional Action Days this week. As Kate Penn noted yesterday in an...
Watch SAF Lobbyists Explain CAD ‘Asks’ on Facebook Live
Coming to the Society of American Florists’ Congressional Action Days in March and wondering what exactly the trade association does for the...
NAFTA Negotiations Continue
The seventh round of the NAFTA negotiations are taking place this week in Mexico City. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, House Ways and...
CAD to Include White House Briefing
The Society of American Florists has confirmed that its 38th Annual Congressional Action Days, March 12-13, will include a special opportunity for...
White House Briefing Confirmed for CAD Attendees
Breaking News! SAF has just confirmed officially that we are taking CAD participants to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House...
Immigration Dominates Washington
When President Trump announced in September of last year that he would end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in March of 2018, he...
House Reauthorizes Generalized System of Preferences
The House of Representatives voted February 14 to reauthorize the (GSP) through December 31, 2020, paving the way for an end to duties on flowers...
SAF Taps Two Experts to Prepare CAD Participants
The countdown is on for the Society of American Florists’ 38th Annual Congressional Action Days, March 12-13, in Washington, D.C. If you have not...
House Reauthorizes GSP
The House of Representatives voted February 13 to reauthorize the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) through December 31, 2020, paving the way...
At CAD, Industry Members Engage – and See Results
It didn’t take long last year to prove that when floral industry members come together in Washington, D.C., their combined voices can make a big...
FDA and USDA Announce Formal Agreement on Cooperation and Coordination
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb...
SAF Members Make A Difference In Washington
As noted in the March 31, 2017 Week In Review, funding for the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI) was increased after SAF’s 2017...
Economy, Immigration Dominate President Trump’s State of the Union Address
In his first State of the Union address, President Trump told the country the United States is poised for “a new American moment.” In the address,...
Have Breakfast with Congressman Jimmy Panetta
One of the floral industry’s biggest advocates in Congress will deliver a “pep talk” to CAD participants before they meet with lawmakers on Capitol...
Importation of Dendrobium spp. Orchid Plants From Taiwan Allowed
On January 30, 2018, The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it finalized a rule to...
Major Garrett, Rep. Jimmy Panetta Tapped for CAD
The Society of American Florists added a high-profile political TV news reporter and one of the floral industry’s biggest advocates in Congress to...
‘Bring a First-Timer for Free’ to Congressional Action Days
The Society of American Florists’ Congressional Action Days drew its largest crowd in more than a decade last year with 119 growers, wholesalers,...
Immigration Reform, Like Government Funding, Remains Unsettled
After the three-day shutdown that started over the weekend, Congress has approved funding for the federal government until February 8. The shutdown...
Welcome New Week In Review Readers
For many of you, this marks the second time you received Week in Review, an e-newsletter focused on SAF’s daily efforts on Capitol Hill to educate...
Experts Weigh in on Tax Law Effects
In the wake of Congress’s substantial remodeling of the country’s tax code, the Society of American Florists brought in experts to help its members...
CBS News Chief White House Correspondent to Share Insider’s View at CAD
Viewers of CBS News broadcasts and "Face The Nation" will recognize the new speaker added to the lineup at the Society of American Florists’ 38th...
Upheaval In Congress
Below is an insightful article written by long-time Washington insider Rich Galen. The article was originally published in his bi-weekly newsletter...
Congress Struggles With Bill To Keep Government Running
Last year, Congress passed legislation to temporarily fund the government through January 19, 2018. As this article goes to press, the House...
Farm Bill Being Prepared
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) announced the farm bill is being prepared for consideration by the full House before the...
CAD to Kick Off with Insiders from Both Sides of the Aisle
Talking to lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the floral industry’s legislative priorities is the draw of the Society of American Florists’...
New Tax Withholding Tables Released
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) just released updated income tax withholding tables, reflecting changes made by the new tax reform law. This is...
Immigration Discussions Continue in Washington
Last year, Congress passed a short-term spending bill to keep the government running through January 19. Without the approval of new legislation to...
Feds Clamp Down On Marijuana
Reversing an Obama administration policy, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued January 4 a memorandum to all U.S. Attorneys directing them to...
New Year’s Deadline Brings End to Duty-Free Status of Flowers from Ecuador
Flowers entering the United States from Ecuador are now subject to import tariffs after a U.S. trade program granting duty-free status to Ecuadorian...
Free WebBlast for Members: Understanding the New Tax Bill — How Will It Impact Small Business?
In the final days of 2017, Congress approved a landmark bill to overhaul the country's tax code. "The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (H.R. 1) represents the...
Legislative Victories Tied Directly to CAD Advocacy
Every voice counts when it comes to persuading legislators to consider the industry’s concerns. That’s why the Society of American Florists invites...
SAF Member Talks Regulations, Research Funding with Influential D.C. Decision-Makers
“Groups working together can make a difference.” That was a major takeaway for Jamie Kitz, key account manager with Sakata Ornamentals in Salinas,...
Consumers, Business Owners React to Tax Code Overhaul
In the final days of 2017, Congress approved a landmark bill to overhaul the country’s tax code. “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R. 1), a comprise...
Tax System Reformed
Congress approved, H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, this week, marking the first time in 30 years since the tax code has been overhauled. The...
Labor Board Reverses Controversial Policies
Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a ruling that overturned Specialty Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center of...
Trucks Required to Use Electronic Logging — Temporarily Exempting Agricultural Haulers
As noted in the December 8, 2017 Week in Review, most commercial truckers as of December 18, 2017, including those in the floral industry, are...
Labor Rules May Be Changed
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) announced this week it is seeking input from the public about possible changes to the Obama-era union...
SAF Submits Comments
SAF recently submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Human Health Risk Assessment for pyrethrins, a class of active...
House and Senate Take Different Paths to Tax Reform
The Senate and the House are both moving forward with efforts to overhaul the country’s tax code, but the two houses are taking different...
Small-Business Issues Critical in Tax Reform Debate
As the House of Representatives presses forward on tax reform, questions about how new legislation will affect small businesses continue to be a...
Wholesalers to Retailers: Plan Ahead and Order Early
A late summer and early fall that read like something out of a science fiction movie — hurricanes, volcanoes, grounded planes, backlogged ports —...
Washington Takes on Tax Reform
Now that Congress has again failed to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have...
APHIS to Allow the Importation of Korean Orchid Plants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending its regulations to allow the importation of...
Trump Administration Moves to End DACA
President Trump announced last week that he would rescind the Obama-era program that protects 800,000 younger undocumented immigrants from...
Number of H-2B Workers Increased
On July 19, 2017, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary rule authorizing an increase...
Border Adjustment Tax in Trouble
A key element of the Republican blueprint for tax reform is facing strong headwinds from business leaders, members of the Trump administration and...
Floral Industry Sees Push for More Research Funding in ‘First 100 Days’
In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, floral industry members have successfully pushed members of Congress to support floriculture...
Despite Snow Storm, Industry Members Head to D.C. to Make ‘Meaningful Change’
A major snowstorm didn’t stop dozens of retailers, wholesalers and growers from traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to share their story with...
CAD to Ask Congress to Support Three Key Floral Issues
Asking Congress to keep flowers affordable, protect floriculture’s workforce and invest in floral research is what 119 retailers, growers,...
SAF Re-Ups its ‘Bring a Friend for Free’ Offer for Congressional Action Days
Planning on attending SAF’s 37th Annual Congressional Action Days (CAD) on March 13-14? SAF is encouraging attendees to share the experience with a...
Talk Shop at Congressional Action Days
Retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and growers coming to the Society of American Florists’ 37th Annual Congressional Action Days, March 13-14 in...
Get the Stories Behind Washington’s Stories at CAD
Politics is constantly changing, but what always remains the same is the drama that happens behind the scenes. During the Society of American...
SAF Needs You at Congressional Action Days
“Let’s Make Democracy Personal Again” is the floral industry’s call to action for the Society of American Florists’ 37th Annual Congressional Action...
Estate Tax May Be on Death Row. Again.
Estate tax repeal, a long-time Republican objective — and an important goal for many members of the floral industry — may become a reality during...
Congress Approves SAF-Supported Legislation to Help Small Businesses
Here’s some good news out of Washington: Last week, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that will protect small businesses from...
Predicting Trump’s First 100 Days: Reforms to Taxes, Health Care and Immigration?
In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory, Washington is trying to make sense of a new, unexpected and unpredictable political world. Looking at what...
House Approves SAF-Backed Legislation
A Society of American Florists-backed bill that would allow small businesses to help pay premiums and other out-of-pocket costs associated with...
In State-By-State Patchwork, Minimum Wage Increases
When California Governor Jerry Brown recently signed legislation to increase the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022 for some businesses,...
At White House Briefing, SAF Members Talk Directly to Administration
What would you do if you had two-plus hours to talk candidly with some of President Obama’s top advisors? For about 80 Society of American Florists...
In Congressional Meetings, SAF Members Speak Up for Industry Needs
At home in Phoenix, Arizona, Cheryl and Brad Denham have tried for some time without luck to schedule a meeting with Sen. Jeff Flake, the state’s...
At SAFPAC Dinner, Cartoonist Shares Insight on Being Seriously Funny
The current presidential campaign seems to be the stuff of dreams for comedians — the jokes must write themselves, right? But for acclaimed...
Floral Industry Tests its Lobbying Skills in Washington
Close 90 floral industry members gathered in Washington, D.C., March 14 and 15 to channel their inner lobbyist and advocate on behalf of the needs...
In Washington, Floral Industry Issues Get Big Play in 2016
When Congress passed a 2,000 plus-page bill in December to fund the federal government through the final nine months of fiscal year 2016, it was a...
At Year’s End, the Floral Industry Sees Results in Washington
Another year, another standstill in Washington, D.C.? Not by a long shot. It may seem like nothing ever gets done in Washington. In their own lives,...
N.J. Shop Hosts New Congressman, Generates Support for STARS
Just before Thanksgiving, one mid-Atlantic flower shop made sure a freshman U.S. congressman had a beautiful floral centerpiece for his holiday...
Court Rules Against President Obama’s 2014 Immigration Actions
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Obama Administration on Nov. 9, preventing the administration from implementing its sweeping...
Michigan Florist Becomes Face of New Retirement Program
A longtime retail flower shop is at the forefront of a new effort to encourage more Americans to save for retirement. Thanks to a connection forged...
Be Careful How You Classify Workers
What exactly is an independent contractor? The government's new interpretation has several ramifications for floral business owners. The U.S....
Industry Companies Team Up to Honor Veterans on Memorial Day
Over the holiday weekend, floral industry companies came together with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation to honor service members at more than 200...
Federal Rule Could Complicate Growers’ Efforts to Safeguard Water
A new federal rule meant to protect the country’s clean water supply could actually make it harder for floral industry greenhouse and nursery...
Appeals Court Rejects Obama Immigration Policy
On Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling blocking the Obama Administration from implementing its new immigration...
What Determines If SAFPAC Donates?
The three criteria for judging on whether a candidate qualifies for SAFPAC funds remain as previously stated: issues, outreach and electability....