First Congressional Testimony in the Books
Here's the latest dispatch.
Good afternoon,
For you newbies out there, welcome to Outsider on the Inside. I hope this dispatch from in and around the nation’s capital on underreported topics finds you well.
If you’re just discovering my musings, here’s a backgrounder and make sure we’re connected on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Quick Thoughts
Support and follow the work of IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation today if you haven’t already.
Madison Hughes’ forthcoming EP, Goodbye to Neverland, will drop on April 26th, 2024. Until then, I’m enjoying Riley Green’s new EP, Way Out Here, out today.
My friend Emily Domenech, a veteran of Capitol Hill, joined Political Climate as a co-host. Subscribe here.
After I testified before Congress, I headed next door to a Congressional Boating Caucus event showcasing technology available to reduce whale-boat conflicts. The Commerce Department is unlikely to listen. Why? It’s expected to shut down most of the Atlantic for six months to fishing and boating access “to protect endangered whales” under its near-finalized Atlantic Ocean vessel speed rule.
We’ve only got two years to save the planet from total calamity? So says a UN executive. Sigh. Thankfully, these doomsday predictions never come true.
The Michelin Guide is coming to my ancestral homeland, Lithuania, in June.
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Common Ground Budget is sensible and will save Virginia ratepayers $600M.
That’s all for this week. Stay tuned for next Friday’s update!
Making Portable Benefits Accessible to Independent Contractors
Yesterday, I testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee Subcommittee on Workforce Protections for a hearing entitled, “Unlocking Opportunity: Allowing Independent Contractors to Access Benefits.”
I spoke on behalf of Independent Women’s Forum Center for Economic Opportunity, where I occasionally contribute to today though I now preside over our Center for Energy and Conservation. You can watch a replay of my testimony and Q&A below:
In the hearing recap, the Education and the Workforce Committee heavily cited my testimony. SHRM even covered the hearing.
In her opening statement, Ms. Hoffman drew on her personal experience navigating benefit options as a freelancer as well as her expertise as a policy analyst. She remarked, “Policymakers must bring labor and tax law into the 21st century to ensure all workers, not just employees, can have access to and pay into a benefits program should they choose.”
…
An exchange between Ms. Hoffman and Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) highlighted the value of independent contracting, especially for women. "You're empowered, you're in control of your work," said Ms. Hoffman.
Here are pictures from the hearing.
I’m unable to thank everyone individually but really appreciate the kind words about my remarks before the Education and the Workforce Committee yesterday.
I hope to be invited again before Congress but to the Natural Resources and/or Energy and Commerces, as it relates to my Center for Energy and Conservation director duties, in the near future.
ICYMI
Articles/commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
I spoke to Roy Matthews of The Maine Wire about the Biden administration doublespeak on rare earth elements and their refusal to domestically mine here.
The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections recapped our portable benefits hearing and SHRM picked up on our event too.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
IWF: Youngkin’s Common Ground Budget Nixes RGGI Re-Entry
Townhall: Wildlife Agency Strays From Conservation With Climate-Centric Refuge Rule
District of Conservation
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
And check out my new podcast, The Sportswoman Show, too!
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—Gabriella