---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: American Sustainable Business Council <[email protected]> Date: Fri, Nov 10, 2017 at 3:40 AM Subject: November Policy Update: SUSTYBIZ Recap, High Road Report, and more To: [email protected] Can’t read this email? Click here <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=dVuAx8xcrAL6DpsVjOWdbjxgSPm1jp3a> [image: American Sustainable Business Council] SUSTYBIZ17 Delivers Insights and Connections ASBC’s 6th Annual Sustainable Business & Policy Summit gave an inside look at how the public policy process works. On day one, federal and state legislators, political strategists, journalists and business leaders explored how responsible businesses can improve lawmaking on climate change, diversity, minimum wages and the role of money in politics. This year’s SUSTY Award presentations honored Senator Sheldon Whitehouse; Senator Angus King; Representative Elijah Cummings; Holly Sklar, founder and CEO of Business for a Fair Minimum Wage; Barry Cik, founder and technical director of Naturepedic; and Jerry Taylor, president of the Niskanen Center. Day two led off with Senator Bernie Sanders joining us live for a discussion <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=btchaA4s2Fs1Pj2bM%2BmPoUp2hezr%2FaFI> of healthcare reform. Summit attendees then fanned out across the Capitol to meet with nearly 40 legislators and staff to talk about carbon pricing, healthcare reform, tax reform, and family medical leave. As one inspired business owner concluded, “This Summit was full of insights and learning opportunities to effectively advocate on issues that matter to sustainable companies.” Thanks to all who joined this game-changing event. * What's New High-Road How-to Report Available ASBC has released a new report, The High-Road Workplace: Route to a Sustainable Economy. Based on interviews with companies that offer a range of valued employee practices and benefits, the report makes the sound business case for taking the high road. It also shows how these practices improve the wider economy and society, and offers specific strategies policymakers can use to spur widespread adoption of high-road practices for a more sustainable, resilient nation. Download the report. <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=w82VAv0s37oEd70b%2BCvcRTxgSPm1jp3a> Click to Tweet: Taking the High Road creates sustainable, positive and prosperous workplaces #HighRoadWorkplace https://ctt.ec/Z3oIU+ @ASBCouncil <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JbdtjURCl2rwdi7LSI60Lkp2hezr%2FaFI> Take a Stand on Rushed Tax Reform The controversial Tax Cut and Jobs Act (H.R.1), released by House Republicans on November 2, is being marked up by the Ways and Means Committee this week. And the Senate version is expected today. Many legislators are pushing to get this done by Christmas, but this complicated bill deserves more review. Tell Congress you oppose pushing through a bill that will cause big deficits, worsen inequality, and undermine U.S. ability to invest for economic growth. Click to Tweet: .@SpeakerRyan: Don’t rush #TaxReform. We need a bipartisan plan that grows #jobs and the economy. https://ctt.ec/Sm788+ @asbcouncil <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FpwmnFVtRtagVpvyclD6wDxgSPm1jp3a> ASBC Faults Federal Sick Leave Requirement Bill Last week Representatives Walters, Stefanik, and McMorris Rodgers released H.R. 4219, the Workflex in the 21st Century Act. The bill, being pitched as a paid-leave policy, sets a lower national standard for employers than some current state-level standards. Tell Congress you oppose federal legislation that undermines existing laws that call for high-road employment practices and instead only provides camouflage for bad actors. Click to Tweet: .@RepMimiWalters Workflex in the 21st Century Act fails to deliver on #paidleave. #HighRoadWorkplace @ASBCouncil https://ctt.ec/blI00+ <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XSX4ZPB%2Bnflo8NwLRLmdWTxgSPm1jp3a> ASBC Opposes Faux Research Funding ASBC has taken a strong stance against the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy in its ongoing efforts to generate false and misleading data. The Office has again contracted with a research team that previously provided inaccurate, widely discredited analyses of how regulations affect small businesses. Read the BNA Bloomberg interview <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=f%2FP8zKdLV7d%2FvZ2oPn2NQjxgSPm1jp3a> with CEO David Levine. Click to Tweet: .@AdvocacySBA is wasting tax dollars on bogus research. Tell @sbagov to cancel the contract. https://ctt.ec/ePzX6+ @ASBCouncil <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VvTcpvlVhfO1KOvFauaNHDxgSPm1jp3a> ASBC Endorses DC Carbon Price Proposal ASBC has joined the Put a Price on It DC Coalition which calls for setting a price on carbon in the District. ASBC is considering the Coalition’s recent proposal to tax energy producers, return revenues to residents and businesses and invest in new green energy initiatives. Learn more at carbonpricedc.org <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=prk4glAiADQJUlm2L8nVzzxgSPm1jp3a>. Defend the EPA You can protect the EPA budget from ruinous cuts if you act quickly. The appropriations bill is still in the Senate’s committee, but the 2018 budget deadline is December 8. Send a message <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TTDU2rkm0qvPvBFVHV%2BhsDxgSPm1jp3a> to your senator reaffirming that a clean environment is good for business. Click to Tweet: Businesses and the economy depend on the work of the @EPA. A #cleanair and #cleanwayer are good for business. #DefendtheEPA @ASBCouncil https://ctt.ec/14Rk3+ <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fwJJects8gHaUIHGQns%2F8jxgSPm1jp3a> * * Special Announcement * After eight years of service, Co-founder and Vice President for Policy and Campaigns *Richard Eidlin* will be leaving the American Sustainable Business Council this week. David Levine stated, “Over the past eight-plus years, Richard has made significant, unique contributions to the emergence and growth of ASBC and its national policy, fundraising and communications work. Richard’s portfolio of responsibilities was extensive, as was his capacity to build key relationships and coalitions with critical stakeholders on Capitol Hill, the Obama White House, state legislatures, businesses and allied organizations. His vision of, and commitment to build, a powerful national advocacy force for sustainable businesses from all sectors and all sizes has been important to countering the profit at all cost narrative. We thank Richard for his many years of commitment and selfless leadership, and wish him the very best.” ASBC’s policy team will now be led by Chris Blackburn <[email protected]>, Director of Policy, who will continue to advance the organization’s mission to create sustainable economic development, environmental protection and regeneration, and social justice. * Media Coverage, Blogs, and More: - The High-Road Workplace: Route to a Sustainable Economy <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WEDKO%2BNJ2bufRbEPRdbs2DxgSPm1jp3a> - ASBC’s groundbreaking report describes what it means to be a high-road business, why it matters, and how smart policy can help more businesses adopt high-road practices. Download the report <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EWFGFB%2Bc1h66LYqiRBngjzxgSPm1jp3a>. - Chapman University Honors Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=1yj4G%2FICINqDBG4kH6ft%2BTxgSPm1jp3a> -The Greek Reporter announced that ASBC board member Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, president and CEO of Earth Friendly Products, was named to Chapman University's School and College Distinguished Alumni in recognition of her leadership and influential voice in the green movement and in corporate social responsibility. - ASBC Denounces Sabotage of Nation's Health System <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zn4Iyh%2Bmxo9yk2uURGb40TxgSPm1jp3a> - Common Dreams quoted ASBC’s CEO David Levine opposing the latest executive order that undermines the Affordable Care Act. Said Levine, "This executive order will throw sand in the gears of the ACA markets.” - Our Commitment to Environmental & Social Values <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=DHQXn%2FVKCMpemu5%2BVtPk3DxgSPm1jp3a> - Rebecca Rubin, CEO of ASBC member Marstel Day, wrote a letter to her employees addressing the Charlottesville tragedy and the increased polarization around issues of equity in our nation. * * Member and Staff News - Beautycounter’s VP of Community Affairs & Engagement, Lindsay Dahl, was nominated for a 2017 Excellence in Advocacy Award for a Federal Issue Campaign by the Professional Women in Advocacy Conference <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Vp%2BzIM3GFsvgUueFbdotvDxgSPm1jp3a>. Also nominated was Bob Bland, CEO and co-founder of Manufacture New York, for Excellence in a Controversial Issue Campaign. - Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) attended the court sentencing of Carlos Rafael, the "Codfather," in an effort to #ExposeConsolidation affecting our ocean and community-based fishermen. To learn more about this case and NAMA’s fight against corporate takeover of fisheries’ access, read the press release <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Jp2L68pXVZxVEtzQ8jwf4DxgSPm1jp3a> or this article <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FOSoKtrsuC4s1pEdTtkLrjxgSPm1jp3a> in Mother Jones. - UncommonGoods was featured on CNBC <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PlwdQu33VRTborOGfr%2BcTTxgSPm1jp3a> in coverage of New York State’s approach to paid family leave. By January 1, 2018, all businesses in the state of New York will have implemented one of the nation’s most progressive paid family leave policies, very similar to UncommonGoods’ existing eight weeks of paid leave a year. * ASBC Welcomes New Members - Financial Sherpa, Inc. <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iPoZV%2BFjqb3FR%2B%2F11B2enDxgSPm1jp3a> Fiduciary James Beyersdorf, principal of Financial Sherpa, has more than 20 years’ experience as an advisor in personal, corporate and charitable finance. His strategic guidance and portfolio management makes innovative use of market instruments to design highly efficient, effective investment strategies. - NewGen Surgical <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=aASDmd1kdmNkK%2F4qyIbvxTxgSPm1jp3a> NewGen Surgical helps customers deliver cost-effective, quality care while preserving and protecting the foundation of all health – a healthy environment. It reduces or eliminates single-use disposable plastic products in the operating room by replacing them with sustainable products that use less energy and non-renewable resources and reduce plastic pollution. * Upcoming Events NERC's Fall 2017 Conference <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=uD%2FHejtGCk7fmGzFy66ZT0p2hezr%2FaFI> Amherst, MA | November 13 - 14 Partner: Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Materials Management in a Sustainable Economy - Keynote by ASBC's David Levine. Levine will share his expertise and perspective about the sustainability of economic development and materials management. BALLE Leadership Summit <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=e1R10yI3VUrSoby7WQblZTxgSPm1jp3a> Pacific Grove, CA | November 15 - 17 Partner: BALLE This event explores how visionary leaders foster healthy, equitable local economies across North America by creating quality jobs and pathways to equity in rural, suburban, and urban communities. Richard Eidlin will moderate a panel on public policy strategies. Social Venture Network 30th Anniversary Conference & Gala <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ToPvrR9fITtY0TkkhyVkazxgSPm1jp3a> Sonoma, CA | December 7 Partner: Social Venture Network The SVN conference facilitates peer-to-peer relationship building and creates a community where attendees can enhance their leadership, improve their businesses, and expand their impact. David Levine will moderate a panel on policy. * Connect with Us [image: Facebook] <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2F1oFnb8OobS9h9xEHc74VDxgSPm1jp3a> [image: Twitter] <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fr%2BlEJBTWvPREIhMbI7xITxgSPm1jp3a> [image: Google+] <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=SfAdK9J489ELbRYVQwaELTxgSPm1jp3a> [image: LinkedIn] <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jYHlcT%2BSmryn4rSZB085oTxgSPm1jp3a> American Sustainable Business Council 1001 G Street NW, Suite 400 <https://maps.google.com/?q=1001+G+Street+NW,+Suite+400&entry=gmail&source=g> East, Washington, DC 20001 Unsubscribe <http://org2.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VRouONEH9yF%2BmzrGr1hV9TxgSPm1jp3a> [image: empowered by Salsa] <http://www.salsalabs.com/?email> -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens