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An often-overlooked benefit of NTMA membership is the Government
Affairs Department. The industry’s only Washington-based advocates,
the department protects your bottom line from threats such as
excessive regulatory burdens and unfair taxation policies. Below is
some of what the department did last year, and what it expects in
2001.
2000 Summary
The IRS accepted our arguments to expense
instead of capitalize ISO 9000 expenses.
The House Small Business Committee held a hearing on the Skilled
Workforce Enhancement Act (SWEA). SWEA had 89 bipartisan cosponsors.
We succeeded in getting proposals to eliminate the federal estate
tax into two bills. One of them was passed by Congress and sent to
President Clinton.
We submitted an analysis of the Ergonomics Program Standard to
OSHA Assistant Secretary Charles Jeffress. In addition, we offered
testimony on the standard at agency hearings held in Washington.
The Congressional Action Alert Program (letter writing campaign)
was responsible for additional SWEA cosponsors and the formation of
working relationships with congressional staffers.
A database of NTMA member companies identifying which
congressional district they are in was created and the information
used during the more than 260 visits to congressional offices staff
made during the year.
The political action committee (PAC), the Committee For A Strong
Economy (CFASE), was strengthened. Innovations included the creation
of three donor clubs and corresponding benefits for its
participants.
The Government Affairs Administrative Fund (GAAF) was
established. This new entity augments the activities of CFASE.
In addition, the department:
- became a part of House leadership strategy sessions;
- participated in three Small Business Administration (SBA)
Roundtables—environment, safety, and taxes;
- negotiated with IRS to establish a safe harbor for use of the
cash method of accounting;
- participated in the Department of Labor’s National Skills
Summit hosted by Secretary Herman;
- hosted a meeting of government affairs representatives of
other metalworking associations to find common issues;
- met with representatives of both presidential campaigns to
discuss workforce training issues;
- created a shop visit program to enable Members of Congress to
tour NTMA member companies; and
- organized the Legislative and Networking Retreat.
On The Horizon
- identifying industry specific issues;
- invalidating the Ergonomics Program Standard;
- getting SWEA enacted;
- repealing the federal estate tax;
- convincing the IRS to raise the safe harbor for cash
accounting;
- building up CFASE and GAAF; and
- promoting bipartisan efforts in Congress.
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