Advocacy in Action | June 30, 2025
Senate Proposes to Make Top Tax Targets Permanent
In a major win for restaurant operators, the Senate Finance Committee unveiled a reconciliation bill that includes long-sought permanent tax provisions.
The proposal would permanently:
-
Extend 100% full expensing for capital equipment
-
Preserve the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction
-
Restore a more favorable business interest expense standard
These changes address key concerns restaurant operators have about expiring tax provisions. For over two years, restaurant operators have urged Congress to advance these pro-growth policies.
The Senate plan also includes President Trump's worker-focused priorities:
-
No Tax on Tips: Up to $25,000 in tips would be exempt from federal income tax
-
No Tax on Overtime: Up to $12,500 in overtime pay would be exempt from federal income tax
Both provisions would take effect in tax year 2025 and expire at the end of 2028. The maximum tax deduction for people making more than $150,000/year is reduced based on how much over the threshold they make. Importantly, FICA taxes still apply.
The Senate will continue to work through its version of the legislation, then Congress will work to reconcile the House and Senate versions in the coming weeks.
Policy Change Puts Green Crabs on the Menu in CT
Last week was Green Crab Week, is a national campaign aimed at encouraging people to eat the invasive species and spread awareness about its economic impact.
This year’s Green Crab Week coincided with a significant policy win here in Connecticut — new legislation now exempts restaurants from needing to obtain a bait dealer’s license to purchase and prepare bait species for public consumption, which includes Green Crabs. This legislation change is expected to expand access to green crab and similar underutilized species, creating new revenue streams for local fishing businesses and further integrating sustainable, invasive seafood into menus.
The Shipwright’s Daughter, BLDG, and Swyft are participating in this year’s Green Crab Week.
National Restaurant Association joins coalition urging action to prevent supply chain disruptions
The National Restaurant Association joined a coalition of more than 225 national trade associations in a letter to the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Commerce, as well as the Federal Maritime Commission, urging immediate action to address growing concerns over supply chain congestion and the impact of tariffs.
The coalition warned that recent tariff changes are already triggering a surge in freight demand, vessel shortages, and rising shipping costs. These disruptions echo the pandemic-era supply chain crisis and threaten U.S. competitiveness.
The letter calls on the administration to:
-
Reconstitute the White House Supply Chain Disruption Task Force
-
Engage with all supply chain stakeholders, including ports, carriers, and labor
-
Prepare infrastructure and logistics networks for a potential cargo surge
Immigration Resources
Restaurants across the U.S. are expressing their concern regarding federal immigration policies and their effect on restaurant owners, employees and their families. These policies have a profound impact on our industry, with immigrants playing a huge role in the hospitality community.
The Connecticut Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association are closely monitoring the situation, and are actively engaging with Administration and Congressional leaders to shape immigration policy that supports the restaurant industry. We will provide timely updates on what continues to be quite a fluid situation.
This is an ever-evolving issue. Please contact us if you hear of any movement locally or have concerns—we are here to support you, your restaurant and your team.
📧 Email: info@ctrestaurant.org
📞 Call: (860) 278 8008
📱Text: (860) 390 9266