Government Relations
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Every spring, NAEDA holds its Legislative Fly-In in Washington, D.C. The Fly-In is an intensive two-day program that provides participants with an inside look at the political process. Dealers are encouraged to attend to let their voices be heard. Beginning with briefings on the latest agricultural issues pending in Congress, participants also visit with their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill to educate and lobby them on issues important to their dealerships.
For information on the basics of successful U.S. Congressional Meetings, click on the links below:
Communicating with Congress
Communicating with Congress after a D.C. visit
Questons? Contact NAEDA by calling 636/349-5000 or e-mail naeda@naeda.com.
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The 9th Annual NAEDA Legislative Fly-In will be held March 21-22, 2012, at The Washington Court Hotel, Washington, D.C.
This year's Legislative Fly-In is extremely important for NAEDA's legislative agenda for 2012. Given the election results from 2010, the change in leadership in the House and the mood of the country, Congress will be listening as it heads into the fall elections. If we are to get commitments from representatives and senators to move on matters that are important to equipment dealers, the Fly-In will be the time to get that accomplished.
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It is recommended that you and your dealer member participants start making contacts and appointments now for those hill visits as congressional schedules fill very quickly. If you need assistance in contacting your congressmen and senators, you can go to http://www.congress.org and type in your zip code and you will see a link to all the contact information for your representative and senators.
2012 Legislative Fly-In Draft Agenda
We are working on confirming speakers and additional details will be available after Congress sets their schedule in Mid-February. There is still time to add items for discussion to the agenda, please contact Mike Williams with them as soon as possible at williamsm@naeda.com.
Click here to download the draft agenda.
2012 Legislative Fly-In Registration and Housing Form
Complete one form for each attendee and return them to Mike Williams by noon, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, at williamsm@naeda.com. It is recommend participants arrive at the Washington Court Hotel before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, and plan to depart late afternoon or early evening on Thursday, March 22.
Click here to download the registration/housing form.
Photos from the 2011 NAEDA Legislative Fly-In
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| The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association Fly-In contingent included (l-r): Will Rogers, Mark Othmer, Boyd Mitchell, Bruce Logan, Bob Sinclair, Andy Goodman, Stan Stutheit, Tim Bowen, and Larry Stauffer. |
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| Far West Equipment Dealers Association (FWEDA) Executive Vice President Steven Kost (left) attended the 2011 Fly-In, as did Shana and John Bunker. John Bunker is president of the FWEDA board. |
North Dakota Implement Dealers Association First Vice Chairman Bill Scoville (left) and NAEDA Chairman Roger Gjellstad (also of North Dakota) met with elected officials about pressing concerns in their state. |
Photos from the 2010 NAEDA Legislative Fly-In
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| The 2010 NAEDA delegation met with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack (left) and Sarah Bittleman, senior advisor to the secretary. Also pictured (r to l): Lester Killebrew, NAEDA board chairman, and Matt Cronin, C&B Operations, Gettysburg, S.D. |
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| Lester Killebrew, NAEDA board chairman (l), and Billy Adams (r), Southern Equipment Dealers Assn., met with Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) to discuss legislative priorities during the NAEDA Fly-In. |
Past Meetings - Legislative Priorities
2010 Legislative Priorities - 111th Congress, 2nd Session
LIFO / Taxes / Agricultural Equipment Depreciation:
NAEDA supports tax legislation that: 1) has a balanced approach to taxation through fair and reasonable personal and corporate rates, 2) repeals the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, 3) maintains IRS depreciation rules for agricultural equipment at five years, and 4) maintains Last In First Out (LIFO) as an acceptable IRS accounting method.
Credit / Finance / Bank Fees:
NAEDA supports federal efforts to ensure credit and financing to the equipment industry and its customers.
NAEDA policy also supports action by Congress and the Federal Reserve on transaction fees and interchange “swipe” fees for Debit Card transactions (both PIN Debits and Signature Debits). These actions should include making transaction fees par with the costs of the clearance of paper checks, end the chaotic system of exchange fees charged by banks and clear the way for widespread use and acceptance of debit cards by consumers and businesses alike.
Card Check:
NAEDA opposes the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) where secret ballot elections are eliminated and businesses would be forced into binding arbitration with collective bargaining units. 2009 Legislative Priorities - 111th Congress, 1st Session
Small Business Health Care Plans:
NAEDA urges Congress to adopt small business health care plan legislation to make it possible for trade associations to provide health insurance to members and their employees. Health insurance costs are rising at a rate over 14 percent per year. As costs increase, equipment dealers are forced to: 1) accept the rate increase and pay the additional cost, 2) reduce the benefits they are able to provide to their employees, or 3) have their employees share more of the premium costs, which often results in reduced benefits.
LIFO / Taxes / Agricultural Equipment Depreciation:
NAEDA supports tax legislation that: 1) has a balanced approach to taxation through fair and reasonable personal and corporate rates, 2) repeals the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, 3) maintains IRS depreciation rules for agricultural equipment at five years, and 4) maintains LIFO as an acceptable IRS accounting method.
Card Check:
NAEDA opposes the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) where secret ballot elections are eliminated and businesses would be forced into binding arbitration with collective bargaining units.
Technician Tool Reimbursements:
NAEDA supports federal legislation that would provide a tax credit to dealership-employed technicians for tool purchases that are essential to their employment.
Credit / Finance:
NAEDA supports federal efforts to ensure credit and financing to the equipment industry and its customers. 2008 Legislative Priorities - 110th Congress, 2nd Session
Small Business Health Care Plans:
NAEDA urges Congress to adopt small business health care plan legislation to make it possible for trade associations to provide health insurance to members and their employees. Health insurance costs are rising at a rate over 14 percent per year. As costs increase, equipment dealers are forced to: 1) accept the rate increase and pay the additional cost, 2) reduce the benefits they are able to provide to their employees, or 3) have their employees share more of the premium costs, which often results in reduced benefits.
Taxes / Agricultural Equipment Depreciation:
NAEDA supports tax legislation that: 1) has a balanced approach to taxation through fair and reasonable personal and corporate rates, 2) repeals the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax, 3) changes the IRS depreciation rules for agricultural equipment to five years from seven years, and 4) maintains LIFO as an acceptable IRS accounting method.
Trade:
NAEDA supports renewal of the Trade Promotion Authority for the administration and removal of government policies and regulations that inhibit trade.
Farm Bill:
NAEDA supports legislation that would provide for planting flexibility, create a safety net for producers that also considers extreme weather conditions and trade-related issues, balances the needs of conservation with the demands placed on productive land, and supports education and research efforts for rural development activities, i.e., agricultural credit, beginning farmer programs, job training programs and value-added programs for a renewable bio-economy.
Immigration:
NAEDA supports a guest worker program that would provide labor for U.S. agriculture and industries associated with equipment dealers. Such a program should allow for daily commuters and housed workers who support businesses and customers of all farm, ranch and outdoor power equipment dealers. 2007 Legislative Priorities - 110th Congress, 1st Session
Small Business Health Care Plans:
Health insurance costs are rising at a rate of over 14 percent per year. As costs increase, equipment dealers are forced to: 1) accept the rate increase and pay the additional cost, 2) reduce the benefits they are providing to their employees, or 3) have their employees share more of coverage costs, which too often results in reduced benefits. NAEDA urges Congress to adopt small business health care plan legislation to make it possible for trade associations to provide health insurance to members and their employees.
Agricultural Equipment Depreciation:
NAEDA supports legislation that would reduce the IRS depreciation rules for agricultural equipment to five years from seven years. Agricultural equipment today is constantly upgraded for flexibility related farming conditions, engine emissions and fuel efficiencies. Components, such as software and tracking/guidance systems, are subject to frequent technological changes that require replacement and affect the life of equipment. If legislation were enacted, the depreciation allowance now applied to construction equipment would give farmers and ranchers opportunities to increase their income, reduce their debt repayments and allow for the timely replacement of equipment with newer models.
2007 Farm Bill:
NAEDA supports legislation that would provide for planting flexibility, create a safety net for producers that also considers extreme weather conditions and trade-related issues, balances the needs of conservation with the demands placed on productive land, and supports education and research efforts for rural development activities, i.e., agricultural credit, beginning farmer programs, job training programs and value-added programs for a renewable bio-economy.
Facts about the U.S. Agricultural Equipment Industry:
- It has a broad foothold throughout the U.S. economy, and its sales represent over $82.0 billionworth of business.
- With U.S. exports of $6.2 billion, it is an enormous source of foreign revenue and a major contributor toward balancing U.S. trade.
- It is responsible for nearly 250,000 U.S. jobs in all 50 states and provides major support to both rural and urban communities.
- The industry supports a highly skilled labor force and is responsible for a payroll over $8.5 billion.
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