'Pay enough attention to carpet industry' - CRI to Congressmen

14 Mar '09

4 min read

Employee Free Choice Act ("Card Check" bill)
• CRI STRONGLY opposes legislation
• It represents the loss of secret ballot and democratic process in union organizing votes
• Inserts government arbitrators into employee- employer disputes

Home Furnishings Tax Credit
• The stimulus package, while containing positive aspects, does not go far enough to get consumers shopping again.
• Short-term credit is needed to stimulate consumer spending on home furnishings (Examples, flooring, rugs, mattresses, paint and wall coatings, etc.)
• Necessary for both the retail and manufacturing sectors
• Fix Housing First is still a good initiative which CRI supports

Climate Change - CRI supports a VOLUNTARY system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Innovate, don't regulate
• According to the CRI 2008 Sustainability Report, the carpet industry is currently exceeding Kyoto standards for greenhouse gas emissions

If and ONLY if a mandated, "cap and trade" system is to be implemented, CRI supports the inclusion of the following principles:
• Any federal program should pre-empt state level emissions programs
• Provisions that ensure a level playing field and prohibit foreign economies from gaining an unfair advantage due to lax standards must be implemented
• Credit for early action MUST be included

Green Chemistry Bill: Support Introduction and Passage Again
• Sponsored by Congressman Gingrey
• Advocates teaching "green chemistry" at the university level
• Has passed house three times - still waiting for Senate approval

The Carpet and Rug

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