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PA Rep. Proposes Steel Benefit Fund
The bill, from Representative Phil English (R-Pennsylvania), imposes tariffs on imported steel and a tax on domestic steel to raise trust fund money, according to an Associated Press report.
The English bill is aimed at helping steelmakers with pension and health costs owed to former employees at bankrupt steel companies. Those costs are expected to dramatically increase as the US steel industry closes plants to stem oversupply, the AP said.
Bill Aimed at Steel Deals
Under the bill, the federal government would pay some retirement benefits for retired steelworkers of:
- any company that has closed since January 1, 2000
- steelmakers bought by another US steelmaker
- steel companies that reduced production within five years after a merger
Steel executives say they have to participate in mergers
to survive, but that they can’t afford to pay retirement
and health benefits to workers laid off as part of merger
deals.
In fact, according to the AP, US Steel has pending deals
with four bankrupt companies that hinge on a government
bailout to help pay benefit costs.
PBGC Coverage
Retirees’ pensions would be covered under the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corp. and health benefits would be paid
with a new Treasury Department fund.
The fund would be created with the 8% to 30% tariff on
foreign steel and a $5 per ton surcharge on steel made by
merged steelmakers.
The bill would also create a new board that would rule on antitrust concerns from steel mergers.