| | COVID-19 Economic Rescue
Package Has Help for Business Moving with unusual speed, in just the last week of March, Congress passed with bipartisan support and the President signed into law an unprecedented $2.3 trillion Coronavirus economic response package. Although not perfect, it offers hope to the many business leaders struggling to take care of employees and keep their businesses from closing permanently. The legislation, the third passed in response to the pandemic this month, is aimed at rescuing businesses and taxpayers as well as providing additional aid to health care providers overwhelmed by the pandemic. Officially the CARES Act (S. 3548), the legislation contains significant increases for employees, small businesses, health care providers and states. A fourth package is already being discussed by Congressional leaders. Included is a $500 emergency loan fund for distressed companies, direct aid to taxpayers, a $377 billion small business rescue plan, $150 billion for public health and $260 billion for expanded unemployment benefits and $150 billion in additional aid to state, local and tribal governments. | | | | | | | | | | ASBC Launches New Working Group To Help Make Capitalism Work For All Capitalism can be a positive dynamic force, but without strong rules, it also can carry negative challenges such as income inequality, market consolidation, climate change, and the financialization and underinvestment in America’s economy. These pose serious threats to our continued global leadership and social stability. The challenges also force many across the country view our current capitalist system as rigged and not working for them. ASBC has launched a working group to identify and develop the 10 most important policy initiatives that a new administration must embrace to ensure we manifest a new form of capitalism starting in 2021. Building on the success of our December 2019 Summit, we are committed to doing what we can to reset the rules and make capitalism work for all. If you are interested in joining, please contact Ali-Reza Vahabzadeh at arv@asbcouncil.org. | | | | | | On the Hill to Protect the
Delaware River Watershed | | | | | A New Member Benefit for Your Employees: CapstoneCare™ Enhanced Telemedicine ASBC is excited to announce that ASBC Silver Member, CapstoneCare™ Enhanced Telemedicine, solves the socially responsible challenge of offering family-friendly employee health benefits at an acceptable cost. This program provides individuals and families convenient 24/7 access to MDs & Mental Health Counselors – without the hassles of missing work, losing pay, travel, long waits, co-pays or deductibles. CapstoneCare successfully treats 75% of the reasons people visit a doctor at 1/40th the cost of traditional health insurance. Employers enjoy bottom-line benefits resulting from healthier employees, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, lower turnover and improved morale. For more information, please see here. | | | | Media Coverage, Blogs and More | | | | | Welcome New Member Silver Level Business Member Boma Jewelry is a sustainable jewelry company specializing in high-quality sterling silver and gold jewelry. Founded in Seattle in 1981, its mission is to provide ethically-made jewelry that doesn’t compromise on value, quality and respect for people and planet. Boma’s jewelry is handmade in its family-owned factory in Bangkok, Thailand by artisans, all of whom earn beyond a living wage and who the company supports by providing careers for life. All Boma Jewelry is non-toxic, nickel-free, hypo-allergenic and antimicrobial. | | Member and Staff News  ASBC is pleased to announce Colton Fagundes has been promoted to Policy Manager after serving for the last year as a policy associate. Colton's extensive experience with agricultural and environmental policies and issues has been a great asset to ASBC, especially the Clean Water is Good for Business and Climate and Energy campaigns. Before ASBC, Colton worked with several advocacy organizations, including Rural Coalition, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and Food Tank. He also had worked in sales and marketing for several natural products companies. In-between, he was traveling, studying Spanish, and volunteering on organic farms. Colton did his undergraduate work at Sonoma State University and earned an M.A. in Global Environmental Policy from American University. His recent academic publication – The Ecological Costs of Discrimination: racism, red cedar and resilience in farm bill conservation policy in Oklahoma – is here. | | Upcoming Events Local Economies for the 21st Century
Madison, WI | April 22 – 24
This 2.5-day AMIBA National conference will provide an interactive format for idea-sharing, skill-sharpening, and movement building. AMIBA is harnessing decades of expertise, and gathering movement leaders in one place, to embark on a fresh direction to strengthen its collective impact and individual communities. ASBC President David Levine is a keynote speaker. EarthX Virtual Conference 2020
Webinar | April 23 – 26
EarthX virtual Conference is a series of conferences that convene for the purpose of cultivating relationships and forming partnerships between mission-driven advocates, investors, accelerators, researchers and other concerned world citizens. The conference goals are to educate, promote and instigate activities that sustain environmental initiatives with a substantial, positive impact on all living things and on our planet. Worker Co-op Conference
Philadelphia, PA | September 11 – 13
The Worker Co-op Conference is the only national convening dedicated to worker ownership and workplace democracy. Coming together will be worker owners, cooperative developers, policymakers, funders, and other allies, to make space for connection, education, skill-building, and sharing to improve the lives of workers and their families. The Responsible Business Summit New York 2020
Brooklyn, NY | September 21 – 22
The Summit New York 2020 will convene 750+ leaders from across the globe to share their latest strategies, and more importantly, tangible insights into how they are helping deliver the required transformation of business. ASBC CEO Jeffrey Hollender will moderate the session: Case study: Restoration of the Natural Capital. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | American Sustainable Business Council
1140 3rd Street, NE, Floor 2 | Washington, District of Columbia 20002
202-660-1455 | replies@asbcouncil.org | | | | | | | | | |
