NTMA members from all across the country have voiced their opinions concerning legislative and regulatory priorities for 2001 and the Government Affairs Department has responded accordingly.

A majority of members agreed that the issues listed below are the most significant ones confronting the precision custom manufacturing industry today. As the 107th Congress gets underway, the Government Affairs Department will diligently lobby Congress on your behalf on the following key issues:

1) Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act (SWEA)¾ SWEA, written by NTMA, would give an immediate $15,000 tax credit to any shop (under 250 employees) that trains apprentices on-site or in multi-employer training facilities.

2) Small Business Tax Relief¾ NTMA will lead the way in seeking substantial tax relief policies for small business. Some areas of concern here would be the immediate deductibility of health insurance premium costs, business expensing, business meal deductibility, and repeal of the unemployment tax surcharge.

3) Elimination of the Estate Tax¾ NTMA shall continue to support the elimination of the "Death Tax" through advocating the passage of the Dunn/Tanner bill. The proposal would reduce the estate tax rates 5% a year until the tax reaches zero.

4) Regulatory Reform¾ NTMA supports legislation that would ease the regulatory burden on small business.

5) Healthcare Reform¾ NTMA supports legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to provide healthcare coverage for its owners and employees, particularly in the area of premiums.

6) Ergonomics¾ The standard mandates that all manufacturers implement an ergonomics program, even if there are no recorded ergonomics injuries at that business. NTMA will continue to fight implementation of the one-size-fits-all standard.