The AAHOA Government Affairs team is constantly adjusting to the shifting realities of the pandemic as we elevate the voice of America’s hotel owners at the state and federal levels. With creativity and the pooling of resources, AAHOA advocacy can continue to bring about meaningful engagement with elected officials and the many other public servants working in government. As always, this past year has seen the productive engagement of AAHOA Members in the legislative process.
Given the partisan gridlock engulfing Congress and the White House, our advocacy efforts at the state and local levels have taken on special importance. Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have managed to pass historic relief packages that allocated billions in recovery funds to state and local governments. A number of states are still processing how to spend these funds, and AAHOA is in step with our state lodging association partners as we advocate for policies, regulations, and laws to help hotel owners rebound.
AAHOA and American Hotel & Lodging Association, the preeminent national hotel and lodging associations, announced the launch of the American Hospitality Alliance in late June. The vision for AHA was years in the making and built on the expertise, resources, and long-standing partnerships AAHOA and AHLA maintain with state lodging associations. The AHA strategically focuses on advancing policies and political relationships vital to hoteliers at the state and local levels.
The AHA launch is one of the highlights of a productive year of political engagement. As the calendar year draws to an end, it’s not too early to start looking for ways to renew your engagement in AAHOA’s advocacy efforts in the months to come. The political and regulatory landscape hotel owners operate in is constantly evolving, and we need your voice to educate lawmakers on the most critical areas of emphasis in our industry’s recovery.
Visit the AAHOA website at AAHOA.com/Advocacy/News, subscribe to the Daily Digest, and turn on alerts so you never miss a chance to make your voice heard.
AAHOA advocacy during the pandemic
CARES ACT INFLUENCE
• Troubled Debt Restructuring helped members obtain forbearance on bank loans
• Waiver of the SBA affiliation rules for hotels
PPP FLEXIBILITY ACT
Through our advocacy efforts, we were able to:
• Increase non-payroll use from 25% to 40%
• Extend the coverage period from eight weeks to 24 weeks
• Implement rehire exemptions and a payroll tax deferral
SECOND ROUND OF FEDERAL STIMULUS
AAHOA advocated for:
• Banking forbearance extension through 2021
• PPP Second Draw Loans to be 3.5 times payroll for hotels
• Tax deductibility
• Extension and expansion of SBA 504 and 7(a) debt-relief subsidies
AAHOA ADVOCACY AT THE STATE & LOCAL LEVELS
Through our advocacy efforts, we were able to:
• Have hotels designated as essential businesses during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak
• Assist dozens of states in providing direct financial relief to hoteliers, such as grant and loan programs
• Achieve liability protection against frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits in more than 25 states
• Defeat the largest tax hike in California’s history
• Advocate for and achieve tax-free status of forgiven PPP loans in 42 states and the District of Columbia
