|
National and State Update
Unfinished Business in 2001 Sets the Stage for Legislative Challenges in 2002
Nick Yaksich, AEM Vice President, Government Affairs
 Congress ended the 2001 session with a mixed bag of success and uncertainties surrounding their return on January 23.
Despite some legislative accomplishments, unfinished business remains that will have a long term effect on the competitiveness of equipment manufacturers here and abroad.
Equipment manufacturers joined with their business allies in some of the big successes of 2001 – passage of the tax cut bill including a phase-out of the death tax and House approval granting the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
Trade, Farm and Energy Bills to Be Addressed
Big successes of 2001 included: passage of the tax cut bill, a phase-out of the death tax and House approval granting the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). |
|
The Senate is expected to consider early in the new session TPA legislation. Knowing of the Administration’s desire to have TPA, the big question is what price will they pay to have Senate Majority Leader Daschle (D-SD) give them a vote on this critical legislation.
Other critical domestic legislative initiatives such as the farm and energy bills will also be addressed early in the session.
Legislation to reauthorize farm programs was approved by the House but stalled in the Senate last session.
The House had backed an Administration supported energy bill to provide tax incentives to spur domestic production while the Senate debate focused on conservation and development of alternative sources.
TEA-21 Reauthorization Debate Begins
2002 promises to be a challenging legislative session with pressure to enhance homeland security and policymakers focusing more on the world’s economic conditions. |
|
Congress will also begin to examine the reauthorization of TEA-21 and AIR-21, two landmark transportation bills due to expire in 2003.
Annual appropriation funding of these two programs continues to provide historic levels of resources. However, early budget projections warn of a drop in revenue in the transportation trust fund. AEM will work through coalition efforts to educate the American public, elected officials and other opinion leaders about the value of transportation infrastructure to the nation’s economy and quality of life.
State Legislative Action
AEM will also focus its attention on new initiatives and unfinished business in state legislatures. Equipment manufacturers were actively engaged in discussions with dealers in Washington State on a comprehensive proposal to amend the state’s dealer-manufacturer law. Other states are expected to consider changes that will alter the contractual relationship between dealers and equipment manufacturers.
In a midterm election year with growing federal and state deficits, pressure to enhance homeland security and policymakers focusing more on the world’s economic conditions, 2002 promises to be a challenging legislative session!
The AEM Board of Directors is establishing the 2002 legislative and regulatory goals for the new Association, and will keep all members updated. Your input is important. Please let your directors or staff know of any specific concerns or issues you are interested in. (Washington issues – Nick Yaksich and State issues – Joel Riemer.)
>>Go to AEM to Guide Highway/Airport market Expansion Coalition
>>Go to State Manufacturer-Dealer Laws Database
>>Go to Transportation Construction Fly-In
<<Back to Advisor Index
|
