NEAAPA Weekly News - January 27, 2021

January 27, 2021

Proudly Supporting the Attractions Industry Since 1913

Hi Adam,

Here is your weekly email of news you can use from around the industry...

Do you have an idea for a Member Meeting Topic? Contact Ed Hodgdon at secretary@neaapa.com.

State Legislation Alert

Maine and Massachusetts to tax PPP loans/grants

Even though the IRS will not be taxing PPP funding that is forgiven, the Governors of Maine and Massachusetts are not planning to do the same.

We urge you to contact your elected representatives and Governor and tell them to not tax PPP funding and to conform state tax policy with regard to this and other pandemic-related funding with the Federal Tax Code. 

In Maine, LD 42 An Act Making Certain Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government, 

• Governor Janet Mills: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/contact/share-your-opinion/
• Joint Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs: https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/AFA

In Massachusetts, an economic development bill signed into law this month originally included language that would prohibit the Commonwealth from taxing PPP funding, but it was removed from the final legislation. To date, no bills have been submitted to address this problem.  

• Governor Charlie Baker: https://www.mass.gov/forms/email-the-governors-office/
• Find Your Legislator: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
• House Ways & Means Committee: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/H34
• Senate Ways & Means Committee: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/S30/Members
• Information on the State's website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/small-business-advisory-paycheck-protection-program#if-my-loan-is-forgiven,-how-do-i-avoid-a-big-tax-bill?-

What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws

As we start to turn our attention to the 2021 Summer Season, one question coming into the NEAAPA Office lately has been if a business can mandate that employees get the COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission answers many questions on this issue.

Learn More

This is a long page. If you are looking specifically for information on vaccinations, it is near the bottom starting in Section K.

News from around NEAAPA

Don't forget to email your press releases to secretary@neaapa.com so that they can be included in the NEAAPA Weekly News.

NEAAPA Congratulates Tree-Mendous Aerial Adventures, recognized as a 2021 Top Impact Company

Real Leaders ​is thrilled to announce the newly selected winners of its 2021 “Top Impact Companies” from around the world. “These top impact companies prove that businesses can thrive by being a force for good,” said Mark Van Ness, Founder of Real Leaders. “They are the Real Leaders of the New Economy,” added Van Ness.

Real Leaders​ is the world’s first business and sustainable leadership magazine and serves a community of visionaries, collaborating to regenerate our world. Its mission is to inspire better leaders for a better world. ​Real Leaders​ is a Certified B-Corp and signatory in the United Nations Global Compact (an advocate for achieving the global goals for sustainable development). Real Leaders​ positions leaders to thrive in the new economy and to inspire the future.

Visit ​www.real-leaders.com​ for more information.

Six Flags donates $20,000 in food to Springfield Rescue Mission

Six Flags New England is helping their neighbors this winter. Through the Six Flags Friends Initiative, the park is donating over $20,000 in food to the Springfield Rescue Mission by providing warm meals for those in need. The donation includes thousands of pounds of french fries, chicken patties and fingers, and prime-rib. The rescue mission will create healthy warm meals to disperse to hundreds of homeless people within Springfield.

"The need is greater than ever before and talking to our friends at the Springfield Rescue Mission during COVID, a time of crisis, for folks living on the street, it's tougher than ever before," said Jennifer McGrath with Six Flags New England.

Six Flags has been partnering with the Springfield Rescue Mission for over a decade and said they are honored to support the local community during these unprecedented times.

Check out this month's issue of Amusement Today by clicking on the image below.

In the latest issue of Amusement Today, NEAAPA Members Deno "D.J." Vourderis from Deno's Wonder Wheel shares his reflection as a new year is upon us, Phil Wilson of Extreme Engineering does a 2 Minute Drill, Sara Seay of Premier Rides is featured in "Women Of Influence", plus there are other great articles featuring NEAAPA Members.

Welcome to our Newest Members

Legislation & Advocacy

Track your State's current legislation

Support NEAAPA's New York State Lobbying Efforts

NEAAPA has engaged the firm Davidoff, Hutcher and Citron LLP to help our industry reopen in New York State. The firm will represent the attractions industry’s interests before the State Executive and Administrative branches of government by providing the following services:

• Educate decision-makers on the economic impact that COVID-19 has had on the attractions industry.
• Assist NEAAPA in getting attractions reopened as soon as possible and ensure that our industry stays open.
• Assist in getting governmental reopening guidance for 2021 for those facilities that have decided not to reopen in 2020.
• Assist with funding sources for the New York attractions industry.

The firm will also work closely with the Empire State Development and the Department of Health and the Administration to ensure they are aware of the economic impact of the attractions industry and ensure that all decision-makers work with the attractions industry to reopen safely in compliance with State, local and CDC guidelines as quickly as possible.

To be part of the coalition and make a financial contribution to the efforts, click on the button below.

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