Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/236097
Inside AED With Transportation Funding and Tax Reform at Stake, the AED Fly-In is Crucial "State Your Case" in Washington D.C., on April 2-3 Without action by Congress, the Highway Trust is able to increase its impact on legislators. Fund (HTF) – which funds approximately 52 percent of annual state DOT capital outlays for highway, bridge, and Program Prepares Participants to Lobby on the Hill transit construction – will be unable to support any highway On the first day of the two-day program participants are or transit spending in 2015, jeopardizing more than $50 briefed by policy experts, association leaders and senior billion in annual investment. members of Congress on key issues that impact AED dealers. The impact of this very possible In addition to the Highway Trust Fund crisis scenario can't be overstated – it will and tax reform, energy-related legislation mean the loss of nearly $41 billion in will be on the agenda. By the end of the annual highway investment. With each day, attendees will be well educated on dollar in highway spending generating the issues. "We go out of our way to be Cost: $299 to cover daytime meals, 2 receptions and bus transportation sure people are well prepared for Capitol 6.4 cents in equipment market activity (sales, rental, and product support), Hill," added Klein. AED estimates the HTF "Year Zero" scenario will cost the Day 2 will kick-off with AED PAC's annual congressional equipment industry $2.5 billion in lost market activity. Four breakfast as a number of lawmakers supportive of AED policy thousand dealership jobs are in jeopardy, not to mention the priorities join dealers around the table. Equipment distributors economic viability of many contractor customers. will then visit Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives AED's Washington office is working hard on transportaand senators to talk about the industry's top legislative issues. tion issues. But they can't do it alone. A full agenda is highlighted by two receptions where dealers "The AED Fly-In puts dealers in front of their legislators can engage with legislators, dealers and manufacturers over where they can offer local perspective on the impact of the issues. Washington policy decisions," said AED's Vice President of An example of the effectiveness of AED dealer executives Government Affairs Christian Klein. "The two infrastructure is their explanation to representatives last year regarding issues that will be front and center in 2014 are going to be the accidental effect of the Obamacare 3.8 percent tax on the highway bill and fixing the highway trust," added Klein. passive income that includes equipment rental income – by Tax reform is yet another reason to attend the Fly-In. The sounding the alarm AED attendees gave a wake-up call to Senate Finance Committee's sweeping proposal to change many politicians, some of whom are now not only aware capital expenditure and accounting rules pose several but focusing on how to exclude equipment dealers from the unintended consequences of the health care law. threats to construction equipment dealers. Specifically, the In addition to receiving firsthand and even breaking news plan targets the current tax depreciation system; LIFO, an on policy developing in the capital, dealer executives also accounting method used by 40 percent of distributors, Like Kind Exchange (LKE); and more. benefit from quality networking opportunities over meals and evening receptions. Some attendees have found strength in numbers from their own states and come to Fly-In in teams AED and NAEDA Join Forces to Increase Impact on to meet with lawmakers as a group for additional impact. Capitol Hill Mark your calendar for April 2-3 and don't miss this For the second year in a row, the event is being co-hosted by AED and the North American Equipment Dealers Association opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get involved where your voice can make a difference for your industry. The (NAEDA), which represents the interests of agricultural dealstakes have never been higher. ers. By joining forces with this like-minded association, AED AED Fly-In Proposed New Members Balboa Capital Irvine, Calif. Woodbridge Equipment Parts Inc. Mississauga, Ont. Tesmec USA Inc. Wichita, Kan. Dealer Part Source Inc. Lithonia, Ga. HWM/RFE Greenfield, Ind. LoJack Corp. Canton, Mass. This list is published each month as required by AED bylaws. Comments on the applicants should be directed to AED President and CEO Brian McGuire 800-388-0650, ext. 326. 8 | www.cedmag.com | Construction Equipment Distribution | January 2014 (continued on page 10)