Since the spread of the coronavirus began to curtail business operations in March, many employers have been looking for ways to reduce their operating expenses. Among those options considered most frequently has been a suspension or reduction in employer contributions...
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Houston Harbaugh
Month: June 2020
New PPP Forgiveness Applications And Interim Rule; Some Key Issues Clarified; Borrowers Prepare To Apply For Loan Forgiveness
On Wednesday, June 17, the SBA published two new forgiveness applications-a long-form and an "EZ" form-along with revised instructions, and on the day before, published another interim final rule (#19). The revised loan applications incorporate the changes made to the...
U.S. Supreme Court Expands LGBTQ Rights
On June 15, 2020, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision expanding protections for gay and transgender individuals in a group of three cases under the umbrella of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, Docket No. 17-1618. The 6-3 majority held that an...
Pa. Supreme Court Gives Employers An Important Warning And Reminder About Non-Compete Agreements
The Pa. Supreme Court on June 16, 2020, invalidated an employer's written non-compete agreement because it was signed after the start of employment. Rullex Co. v. Tel-Stream, Inc., No. 27 EAP 2019 (Pa. 2020). All contracts, to be binding, must be supported by what...
Mike Turzai To Resign As State House Speaker And Houston Harbaugh Of Counsel
On Wednesday, June 10, 2020 State House Speaker and Representative for the 28th Legislative District, Mike Turzai, gave his farewell address before the House Chamber. He vacated his seat effective June 15, 2020. Mike has also announced that he will be resigning from...
New PPP Modification Makes PPP Loans More Flexible For Borrowers; Additional Issues For Borrowers And Questions To Be Answered
On Friday, June 5, the President signed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 ("Flexibility Act") making the provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") more flexible for borrowers. Changes under the Flexibility Act include: (1)...
Why Is The Driller Deducting Post-Production Costs My Lease Doesn’t Allow? Kilmer V. Elexco Land Services: A Decade Later
By: Robert J. Burnett, Esquire and Brendan A. O'Donnell, Esquire You own a 175 acre farm in Washington County. In 2014, you signed an oil and gas lease with XYZ Gas Company. The royalty clause, which you specifically negotiated, states that you are entitled to a...
OSHA & COVID-19: Does An Employee’s Positive Test For COVID-19 Trigger OSHA’s Illness Reporting Requirement?
OSHA has generally taken a backseat on COVID-19, leaving it to the CDC and state governments to give directions to employers. However, recent OSHA COVID-19 guidance puts employers in a precarious position. OSHA now asks employers, in the event an employee tests...
Houston Harbaugh Congratulates 14 Attorneys Selected To 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers And Pennsylvania Rising Stars List
June 2, 2020 | | Houston Harbaugh is pleased to announce and congratulate attorneys Craig M. Brooks, Robert J. Burnett, Christopher M. Jacobs, Alan S. Miller, Anthony P. Picadio, Samuel H. Simon, Henry M. Sneath, and Heidi R. Stewart on their selection to the 2020...