The Hardwood Federation produces a “D.C. Cheat Sheet” newsletter to keep the industry up-to-date on the latest news from Washington D.C. Check out the March 2nd edition below and sign up to receive your copy.
Senate Ag Committee Spotlights Forest Management in 2023 Farm Bill
On March 1, Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AK) presided over a hearing to gain input from the USDA and review a broad spectrum of conservation and forestry programs that will be included in the upcoming Farm Bill. That said, lawmakers wasted no time diving into a detailed discussion on how to reduce wildfires through effective forest management. Industry ally and Ranking Member Boozman asked one of the three committee witnesses, USFS Associate Chief Angela Coleman, about specific ways that the agency could promote wood products to achieve their wildfire prevention goals. Coleman responded that the USFS supports creation of a “healthy timber-producing infrastructure” and more wood innovation grants as pillars for effective land management and wildfire mitigation. Stay tuned for regular updates on the Farm Bill as it moves through Congress this year.
House Tax Chief to Focus on Small Business Relief
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), the top tax writer in the House, has raised some alarms in the broader business community by singling out small business, while omitting mention of bigger companies, as the top priority of his agenda for the 118th Congress. The chairman’s omission of support for big business marks a departure from the traditional rhetoric of GOP leaders, who have typically treated large corporations and small business as co-beneficiaries of federal tax relief. The change in narrative is part of a growing movement among House Republicans to rebrand the GOP as the party of small and medium sized “Main Street” businesses and working Americans. Although Congress isn’t reviewing legislation at the moment that would raise the corporate rates above 21 percent, for example, Democrats consistently push for an increase in corporate taxes whenever budget legislation moves through Congress, especially when looking for offsets for proposed spending increases. Chairman Smith’s failure to mention bigger companies in his “to do” list raises questions about the robustness of opposition his committee would mount in the event lawmakers place corporate tax rates in the crosshairs.
Register for Fly-In 2023
The Hardwood Federation Fly-In is back in 2023! Make plans today to join us in Washington, D.C. from Tuesday, June 13 to Thursday, June 15. Meet your federally elected officials. Tell your story. Network with your peers. Check out the full schedule of events. The Hardwood Federation has arranged for a limited number of rooms at a special rate at our host hotel, the Washington Hotel Monaco. To register for the Fly-In and reserve your room, please click here.
Source: Hardwood Federation