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More than 20 executives from the electrical distribution industry participated in the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)’s Congressional Fly-In on June 20-21.

All told, participating members shared their perspectives on the electrical industry and government policies with more than 140 elected representatives in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The following executives from IMARK member companies participated in this year’s Congressional Fly-In:

  • George Adams Jr., Electric Supply Inc. (Florida)
  • Bob Crawford, United Electric Supply Co. (Delaware)
  • Dan Dungan, Springfield Electric Supply Co.
  • Rodney Jason, Maltby Electric Supply
  • John Maltby, Maltby Electric Supply
  • Paul Perry, Winsupply
  • Matt Reese, WaltersWholesale Electric
  • Steve Ruane, IMARK Group
  • George Vorwick, United Electric (Delaware)

The following topics of importance to the industry were discussed with elected representatives:

NAED Priorities for Tax Reform

As Congress considers comprehensive tax reform, NAED members support changes that promote tax rate parity for businesses paying under the corporate rates and those who pass through profits to the owners’ individual tax returns. Tax reform must also protect LIFO inventory valuation and eliminate the estate tax.

Repeal the Estate Tax (H.R. 631, S. 205)

The estate tax disproportionately impacts small and family-owned businesses and the threat of the looming tax prevents investment in business. Costs associated with preparation for the tax and the substantial burden of the tax itself cause small businesses to forego the hiring of new employees, expansion of businesses and, in many cases, force the sale of the company.

Addressing Online Sales Tax Avoidance (H.R. 2193, S. 976)

NAED supports this legislation, which empowers states to update their sales and use tax laws to level the playing field
for all sellers. Brick-and-mortar stores find themselves at a disadvantage, not through innovation or competition, but rather through a tax system which supports tax avoidance to the detriment of small businesses. The impact on state budgets is becoming too large to ignore and Congress must act now.

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American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) needs reform now. NAED supports repealing the employer mandate, the 0.9 percent Medicare tax surcharge, the 3.8 percent net investment income tax, the 40 percent “Cadillac tax” and the ACA calculation defining full-time employees.

Reins Act (H.R. 26, S. 21)

Congress must reassert its constitutionally-mandated role of oversight over the regulator process. Aggressive unelected and unaccountable regulators have usurped Congress’ legislative power and the Reins Act will restore the constitutionally intended balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.

Innocent Sellers Fairness Act (H.R. 118)

Distributors frequently find themselves named in products liability cases where circumstances beyond their control resulted in a lawsuit. This bill protects distributors from being included in unfounded lawsuits in which the distributor has no role in the manufacture or modification of the product, while preserving victims’ access to courts.

Reinstate the 179D Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

The 179D deduction was enacted in The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) in 2005 and offered tax deductions for building owners who installed highly-efficient lighting in commercial projects. The deduction was periodically renewed in “tax extender” legislation, but finally expired at the end of 2016. An independent study by research firm REMI showed renewing 179D would support 76,529 jobs and would contribute almost $7.4 billion to annual GDP.

Ed Orlet, senior vice president of membership and marketing of NAED, spearheaded the meeting and helped prepare attendees to advocate effectively on behalf of NAED members and electrical distributors. Contact him at Eorlet@NAED.org for more information.