There are proposals for relief to employers and States, and proposals to improve solvency

Relief for Employers and States would:

• Suspend interest accrual and payments on Title XII advances (loans) in Fiscal Years (FY) 2012 and 2013.
• Suspend FUTA credit reductions (employer tax increases) for calendar years 2012 and 2013.
• Remove provisions that increase the amount of credit reduction due to states' failure to meet established tax effort and benefit cost criteria.

Improved Solvency would:

• Reinstate the 6.2 percent (6 percent right now) FUTA tax rate in Calendar Years (CY) 2013 and 2014.

Comment from Jason:

While the DOL's Budget brief pints out a drive to boost small businesses, will OSHA change its attitude from "gotcha" to perhaps take a softer approach, such as giving companies a grace period, or levying fines based on employee count as opposed to fixed numbers–so as not to close down small businesses?

Answer from David Michaels, OSHA:

We always try to work with small businesses to protect employees and our enforcement policies include a reduction of fines, and OSHA also offers free on-site consultation specifically targeted to small businesses.

Comment from Ben James:

It looks like the DOL is seeking slightly less in overall funding than it sought last year ($12 billion down from about $12.6 billion.) Am I reading this right? If so, I'm curious what if any areas would see an increase in resources under the 2013 budget.

Answer from Michael Kerr, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration & Management:

Yes, you are reading this correctly. In addition to maintaining the secretary's emphasis on our worker protection agencies, areas that are receiving an increase in funding include: $30 million for Employment Service state grants for reemployment eligibility services; $15 million for unemployment insurance reemployment eligibility assessments; $10 million in the Wage and Hour Division and unemployment insurance program to address misclassification of employees; $6 million increase for the Wage and Hour Division for increased enforcement of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family Medical Leave Act; and $2.5 million for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs for enhanced trade agreement monitoring and enforcement.

Comment from Guest:

Thank you for allowing budget questions. I noticed very clearly the DOL objective of 'Good Jobs for everyone' and alignment with Strategic Goals focusing on employees. I did not see a clear tie in to employer's input. Can anyone comment on DOL alignment of employer's needs or strategies. I've seen so much from DOL on bringing in business to the US.

Answer from DOL Deputy Secretary Seth Harris:

Thank you for your question. The President's budget recognizes the need for extensive employer involvement in helping community colleges and other elements of our workforce investment system to prepare workers for jobs that are open now and will be created in the future. The community college initiative the President and Secretaries Solis and Duncan are announcing today puts employer partnership with community colleges at the core of our strategy

To view more of the Q&A session, go to the DOL budget chat web page. For a snapshot of the department's budget, click here.