Take Away from the President’s Speech on Covid- 19.

While we are being advised that both Executive Orders, especially the order that refers to companies with over 100 employees will probably be challenged, we are also being advised that companies immediately begin taking the steps mandated in the Order.

Doing Business with the Federal Government

The Executive Order ( EO)  released by the White House on Sept 10^th will require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million workers.  It appears that the target implementation date is October 15^th with the requirements for additional guidance to be released by Sept 24^th. That additional guidance should specify any exceptions. For example, it’s possible that a contract you are working under may not be subject to this order, but we won’t have those kinds of details for a couple weeks.

One action step that you can do is reach out to your contract or procurement manager with the Feds to see if there’s any details available on their end that may not be spelled out by the EO. 

Additional information – click on link https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/09/executive-order-on-ensuring-adequate-covid-safety-protocols-for-federal-contractors/

Companies with 100+ Employees The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said. OSHA will issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to implement this requirement. When enacted, this requirement is expected to impact over 80 million workers in private sector businesses with 100+ employees. The rule will be issued "in the coming weeks," according to the White House.

The rule would also require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination or to recover from the aftereffects of the vaccination. More details will be forthcoming as will the effective date. 

Paper Markets Tighten in 2021

By Geoffrey Eisenberg, COO, Tidewater Direct
If 2020 was anything but business as usual in the world of direct mail, 2021 is most certainly cut from the same cloth. From lockdowns in the beginning of the year to – what appears to be – a sharp economic rebound, the Covid-19 economic roller coaster is ever-present in the acquisitional direct mail markets. At the time of this release, we have seen paper supplies become constricted and schedules move out, all while marketers appear to be clamoring to reach their consumers (flush with cash and new-found freedoms) in reliable and effective ways. Direct mail contractors that understand today’s paper market, forge and maintain strong alliances with their vendors, and understand the importance of schedule will be far better equipped to fair the tumultuous seas of 2021.

Paper markets have become increasingly tight in 2021. An across-the-board mill increase at the end of March signified that demand justified some attention. A typical healthy mill operating rate may be 94-95%, which ensures that the mills’ expenses will be met and will be profitable, but still retain some flexibility for its customers. Poor operating rates tend to be in the high 80s to low 90s, signifying an excessive supply that suppresses paper prices and, in some cases, causes mill closures and “right-sizing”. For a decade, mills have been shuttering doors one-by-one to try to control the supply-demand equation. Today, however, mill operating rates are well above 95%, have put all its customers on allocation (which prevents hoarding and is typically a function of historic usage), and have little to no flexibility in scheduling. It’s widely expected that mills will have another increase this summer (some are announcing at the release of this memo) and that schedules will stay tight through the end of the year. The takeaway for direct mail manufacturers and brokers is to align with printers and envelope converters that have good mill relationships and involve these partners in the early stages of planning to secure stock for your upcoming projects.

Strong relationships with suppliers have never been more important. A direct mail contractor’s greatest weakness is its worst supplier.  Whether a commercial printer, label manufacturer, or envelope converter, one weak link in the chain prevents a job from getting in the mail on time. A relationship that values loyalty and longevity will prove beneficial when schedules are tight, and supplies are low. Likewise, a direct mail contractor should seek vendors who uphold the same values and relationship with their raw material suppliers. Printers that constantly change their suppliers for price find themselves in precarious circumstances in allocation environments and provide inconsistency from job to job. Loyalty with quality suppliers ensures a more dependable source to satisfy usage requirements, but it ensures that supply chains remain common from run to run, providing a more consistent and reliable product over time.

Scheduling in today’s market can sometimes be more important than price. Involving vendors early in the scheduling process will produce reliable results and lock in more sustainable pricing. Weekly and monthly projects should be calculated and planned, with schedules reserved and materials ordered. Its common practice in “normal times” for quick lead times and rush jobs to be fulfilled with ease.  When capacities are tightened, those orders become much more difficult to fill. Just as important as creating the schedule is keeping the schedule. A direct mail contractor that pushes for approvals on time should expect on-time deliveries from its suppliers. Commanding the schedule from the end-user and its vendors is perhaps the most vital key to success for any direct mail contractor.  Treating recurring jobs with the respect of schedule for all vendors will assure your customers that their campaign will be produced within the parameters they expect during the tightest markets.

The good news is that 2021 will be a stronger year than anticipated for many direct mail contractors and its suppliers, providing the economic recovery stays its course – a welcome change for most after 2020. Relationships strengthen when the entire supply chain bands together, and it often results in a better product as a byproduct. With a basic knowledge of the paper markets, strong supplier relationships, and plan-ahead collaborative scheduling, direct mail contractors can come through 2021 stronger than ever with valuable relationships.  

Excellence in Print 2022

Dear PGAMA Member

2022 Excellence in Print……Now More Than Ever

You have heard it before but 2020 was truly a year that was unprecedented and the challenges are still being felt within our country, world and certainly within our industry.  The continued economic and health ambiguity were the compelling reasons behind our decision to present our next Excellence in Print on Thursday, May 11, 2022 at Martin’s West in Baltimore.

Although our virtual presentation on December 9, 2020 was met with great success, the committee believed that, more than the award presentations, EIP was the best opportunity of the year to network, meet with colleagues and friends, and celebrate our industry. The committee recognized that it was not possible to have a live 2021 event due to the still active economic and health crisis as well as the fact that it would have been tone deaf, in our opinion, to ask you to stop from your focus and have you review projects for entry into a 2021 Excellence in Print.  The committee would like to congratulate, one more time, the 2020 EIP winners, The Xerox Grand Q- HBP, The Canon Solutions America Digital Q- Westland Printers, and The Standard Graphics Mid Atlantic -Printers and Binding and Finishing Q- Raff Embossing and Foilcraft

By the time our awards banquet is presented in the spring of 2022, we will be more than ready to celebrate print, meet and greet our friends and colleagues and show the world that print industry is on the road to recovery. 

Now is the time to begin putting aside projects that you wish to enter for next year’s awards.

Remember all projects produced between January 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021 are eligible and we urge you to support your industry, your company, and your employees by participating in 2022!

In the coming months, more details will follow in e-newsletters, e-blast and mailed material.

EIP Entry Brochure

EIP Form

Wishing you great success.

The PGAMA Excellence in Print Committee

MD Relief Act Summary

Maryland RELIEF Act Summary

*sources: Comptroller’s Office, Governor’s Office, DLS

• Sales and Use Tax Credit – Authorizes eligible vendors to retain an increased vendor tax credit for the three consecutive months following the enactment of the law. The amount of the vendor credit allowed is equal to the lesser of the amount of sales and use tax collected during the month the vendor qualifies for the increased credit or $3,000, not to exceed $9,000 in three months.
  • Eligibility: a vendor must file a timely sales and use tax return or consolidated return, and; the gross amount of sales and use tax remitted with the return may not exceed $6,000, and; a vendor must choose to forgo the standard vendor credit in order to claim the enhanced vendor credit.
  • When? Credits will be granted during the months of March, April, and May 2021. If you file returns quarterly, claim the March credit on the return you file in April, and claim the April and May credits on the return you file in July.
  • Amount: Eligible vendors may claim a credit against their sales and use tax for either the amount of the sales and use tax collected during the month for which the vendor claims the credit or $3,000, whichever is less.
• Business Tax Relief
  • Unemployment Tax Relief for Small Businesses
    • An employer’s 2021 unemployment tax rate will be calculated based on their non-pandemic experience by excluding the 2020 fiscal year, and instead by using the last three fiscal years of 2017, 2018, and 2019. This was already in effect via executive order but a change in law was necessary for it to remain in play beyond the state of emergency.
    • Small businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees will be allowed to defer unemployment insurance tax payments in calendar year 2021 to January 2022
  • The RELIEF Act’s loan and forgiveness plan safeguard Maryland business owners against any tax increase triggered by the use of state loan or grant funds.
• Unemployment Assistance - $1,000 one-time grant payments to certain individuals whose unemployment claims have been in adjudication for 30 days
  • Eligibility: The Department of Labor determines the recipients of the grants and will submit to the Comptroller a list of individuals who will receive payment
  • When? Payments will be sent to qualified individuals from March-July, dependent upon when the eligibility is determined by the Department of Labor
• Unemployment Insurance Income Tax Subtraction - The RELIEF Act provides a State Income Tax Exemption for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits for qualifying filers. UI payments are currently subject to federal and state income taxation. Beginning with Tax Year 2020 and including Tax Year 2021, the Act exempts from the state income tax the UI benefits received by an individual earning less than $75,000, and couples filing jointly or individual heads of households earning less than $100,000.
• Grant and Loan Programs – New grant and loan programs for businesses and nonprofits to be administered by several state agencies, and local governments (see attached for local programs)

• Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fun
  • Grant program for businesses in distressed communities to assist the businesses in setting up an online sales framework and offering employees telework opportunities

Other provisions:

• Authorizes the Department of Commerce to forgive up to $50,000 of a loan, if the loan was made to a small business under the Equity Participation Investment Program with the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority. This provision applies only to fiscal 2021 and 2022 loans provided to relieve the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Creates a $420 million fund within the Department of Budget & Management to be used for:
  • Financial assistance to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations
  • Funding for the Department of Health and UI program
  • The restoration of Department of Transportation transit services and highway maintenance funding.

Joint Letter to the Postmaster General

February 19, 2021

The Honorable Louis DeJoy

Postmaster General

United States Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington DC 20260

Dear Postmaster General:

As representatives of your customers, the undersigned are writing to you in an effort to clearly convey the fragility of customer confidence in the Postal Service, given the recent collapse in service, and the danger of increasing prices under such circumstances.

We understand the impact of the pandemic – our member companies and nonprofit organizations, and their customers, are experiencing it as well – and of other factors that have impaired USPS operations and delivery. As the Postal Service has acknowledged, that impairment was worsened by internal failures to maintain control over inventory and follow established procedures and operating plans.

As a result, customers have experienced delays of not just a few days but weeks – even months – in getting their personal correspondence, greeting cards, statements, advertising mail, newspapers, magazines, and packages to their recipients. In turn, many customers, from the clients of commercial mailers to everyday users of retail services, now question whether they can depend on the Postal Service in the future. The collapse of service experienced in recent months has the potential to significantly accelerate the abandonment of mail; it has already resulted in messages to consumers encouraging them to “go paperless.”

In this context, increasing prices for substandard service should not even be considered. Any action that would drive away already skeptical customers would worsen the Postal Service’s challenges. Any short-term increase in revenue from an over-CPI price change would be outweighed by its long-term business impact. We believe there are better measures that could be undertaken to restore financial equilibrium.

As you have noted, the burdens imposed by Congress could be alleviated through successful discussions with legislators; reform legislation could remove unnecessary retirement prefunding obligations; USPS employee costs could be reduced through more disciplined negotiations; and operational efficiencies can be implemented that do not require diminishing service standards. Yes, those would be more difficult than simply raising prices, but also would yield greater and more long-lasting benefits – without imperiling mail volume.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has provided greater pricing authority to the Postal Service. When the commissioners concluded the USPS was not financially stable, the tool they used to remedy that condition was alteration of the rate-setting mechanism to enable greater price increases. The challenges facing our industry require a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach than for the Postal Service to mechanically maximize its rate authority, separately or as part of a broader plan, simply because it was provided with the opportunity to do so. Moreover, the availability of $10 billion in funding under recent legislation, and the ongoing positive income derived from increased parcel volume, lessen the urgency to seek additional revenue from ratepayers.

The Postal Service’s financial condition did not develop overnight and is not simply due to inadequate revenue – nor can it be remedied simply by raising prices, particularly through an unanticipated increase at a time when customer allegiance has been so severely compromised by poor service. Customers already prepared to walk out the door should not be asked to pay more – now or in the future – for something whose value they concurrently have reason to doubt.

We look forward to working with you to strengthen the Postal Service and ensure its future. We are also prepared to collaborate on an integrated and comprehensive approach to the challenges we face together. We stand ready to discuss these and other issues at your convenience.

MD Dept of Labor Detected Over 156,000 Potentially Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Since January

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Maryland Department of Labor Detected Over 156,000 Potentially Fraudulent Unemployment Claims Filed Since January States Across the Nation Experiencing Significant Spike in Fraud Over 87% of Claims Investigated in Maryland Confirmed as Fraudulent BALTIMORE, MD (February 11, 2021) - The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) today provided an update about the department’s ongoing unemployment insurance fraud detection, prevention, and investigation efforts. Over 156,000 Potentially Fraudulent Claims Detected Since Beginning of January With the record number of unemployment insurance claims filed and the additional federal benefits available during the COVID-19 pandemic, states across the nation have continued to see bad actors and fraudsters using illegally obtained data to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.  However, since the passage of the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act (CAA), which expanded the federal CARES Act programs and most notably offered an additional $300 a week to eligible claimants through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, states have seen a significant spike in fraudulent activity.  Of the 243,186 new claims filed in Maryland since January 1, 2021, 156,403 claims (64.31%) have been flagged as being potentially fraudulent due to new and existing aggressive security measures in place to protect taxpayers and the integrity of the state’s program. As fraudsters are becoming more brazen and adapting their tactics, Maryland continues to add new technology and safeguards to prevent and detect fraud.  Over 87% of Claims Flagged and Investigated Confirmed as Fraudulent With aggressive security measures in place, Labor continues to investigate potentially fraudulent in-state and out-of-state claims. With over 87% of claims flagged and investigated being confirmed as fraudulent, it is critical that the department reviews and verifies documentation manually.* Of the 161,897 out-of-state claims that have been identified as potentially fraudulent, 147,305 (90.99%) have either not uploaded the verification documentation requested or their documentation has been reviewed and denied. Of the 226,933 in-state claims that have been identified as potentially fraudulent, 191,358 (84.32%) have either not uploaded the verification documentation requested or their documentation has been reviewed and denied. Of the 388,830 claims flagged, there are currently 14,348 (3.69%) in-state and out-of-state potentially fraudulent claims pending manual review and verification by a team of specialists. *Note that these numbers are subject to change as the department continues to flag potentially fraudulent claims. Labor continues to coordinate its investigation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Report Unemployment Insurance Fraud on Quarterly Employer Statements The department recently emailed all employers about potentially fraudulent charges appearing on their fourth quarter benefit charge statement because of an increase in the number of claims fraudulently filed in the names of people who are actively working.  This means that claims may be fraudulently filed for an employer’s employee, even though the employee is still working and is not unemployed. Please note that employers will not be charged for any fraudulent benefits associated with their account. All employers should carefully review their current and previous benefit charge statements to ensure that all claimant benefits charged to their account are accurate.  If an employer believes a fraudulent claim has been charged to their account, they should immediately file a benefit charge protest throughtheir BEACON employer portal located atemployer.beacon.labor.md.gov. The department will investigate their protest and will remove charges that are deemed fraudulent. For additional assistance, employers can contact the Employer Call Center by calling 410-949-0033. Report Other Unemployment Insurance Fraud If you believe that your information has been used to fraudulently file an unemployment insurance claim, please contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance’sBenefit Payment Control Unitby completing a “Request for Investigation of Unemployment Insurance Fraud” form and e-mailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you received a 1099-G tax form, but did not apply for unemployment insurance benefits in Maryland in 2020, then please complete anAffidavit Formand submit it along with picture ID to the Benefit Payment Control Unit by emailingThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you are a claimant and believe funds have been fraudulently withdrawn from your Bank of America unemployment insurance debit card, please contact Bank of America directly by calling 1-855-847-2029. If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft, please read the Maryland State Police's Identity Theft Protection Quick Guideto find additional resources and learn more about the next steps you should take to protect your identity. For more information, visitMDunemployment.com.

Excellence in Print 2020

December 9, 2020 12:00 PM EST

The wait has been long, but the work has been excellent.  See who brings home the prizes in the 2020 Excellence in Print Awards.

Click here for the Program

Click here for the Show

FMLA & The Hybrid School Calendar

The DOL has addressed the expanded FMLA and the hybrid school calendar, and related to choosing an all-online option if available. 

• If your child is on a hybrid plan, then expanded intermittent FMLA is available for the days they are learning at home.
• If your employee has opted to go entirely online despite school being open (hybrid or completely), the DOL says you can use expanded FMLA on the days your child would be doing online learning anyway because the school is “closed” to that family on those days of online learning.

The new guidance is below:

·  My child’s school is operating on an alternate day (or other hybrid-attendance) basis. The school is open each day, but students alternate between days attending school in person and days participating in remote learning. They are permitted to attend school only on their allotted in-person attendance days. May I take paid leave under the FFCRA in these circumstances? (added 08/27/2020)

Yes, you are eligible to take paid leave under the FFCRA on days when your child is not permitted to attend school in person and must instead engage in remote learning, as long as you need the leave to actually care for your child during that time and only if no other suitable person is available to do so. For purposes of the FFCRA and its implementing regulations, the school is effectively “closed” to your child on days that he or she cannot attend in person. You may take paid leave under the FFCRA on each of your child’s remote-learning days.

·  My child’s school is giving me a choice between having my child attend in person or participate in a remote learning program for the fall. I signed up for the remote learning alternative because, for example, I worry that my child might contract COVID-19 and bring it home to the family. Since my child will be at home, may I take paid leave under the FFCRA in these circumstances? (added 08/27/2020)

No, you are not eligible to take paid leave under the FFCRA because your child’s school is not “closed” due to COVID–19 related reasons; it is open for your child to attend. FFCRA leave is not available to take care of a child whose school is open for in-person attendance. If your child is home not because his or her school is closed, but because you have chosen for the child to remain home, you are not entitled to FFCRA paid leave. However, if, because of COVID-19, your child is under a quarantine order or has been advised by a health care provider to self-isolate or self-quarantine, you may be eligible to take paid leave to care for him or her. See FAQ 63.

Also, as explained more fully in FAQ 98, if your child’s school is operating on an alternate day (or other hybrid-attendance) basis, you may be eligible to take paid leave under the FFCRA on each of your child’s remote-learning days because the school is effectively “closed” to your child on those days.

·  My child’s school is beginning the school year under a remote learning program out of concern for COVID-19, but has announced it will continue to evaluate local circumstances and make a decision about reopening for in-person attendance later in the school year. May I take paid leave under the FFCRA in these circumstances? (added 08/27/2020)

Yes, you are eligible to take paid leave under the FFCRA while your child’s school remains closed. If your child's school reopens, the availability of paid leave under the FFCRA will depend on the particulars of the school’s operations. See FAQ 98 and 99.

Sanitation Guidelines

Protecting the health and safety of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak is essential to ensure the spread of the virus is stopped and it does not spread within the workplace. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus has created a situation where every printing operation needs to institute a cleaning and disinfection program that will minimize the possibility of an employee becoming infected. The information presented below is based on the guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control for businesses.

Sanitation FAQs

Covid19: Resources and Links

Printing Industries of America Covid-19 Resources for Printers

CDC Guidance: 

OSHA Guidance: 

Cares Act Summary

Letters for Essential Businesses

Maryland Resources:

Closure of Non-essential businesses

Small Business Relief Efforts

SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund

Virginia Resources:

Virginia Department of Labor Guidance

Virginia Covid-19 Resources

Virginia Department of Health