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 April 6th edition below and sign up to receive your copy.
Federal lawmakers are now at home for their traditional springtime work period. As Congress considers the Farm Bill, this is the perfect time to make your voice heard on some important priorities. If you see your federal officials at a public or private event, here are three key messages you can deliver to support the Hardwood Federation’s efforts at the federal level:
- Grow Markets for Hardwood Products. We seek opportunities to build markets for hardwood products. Congress can promote high quality hardwoods and jobs through the Farm Bill:
Establish a Hardwood Education Program. We all know that wood products are part of the climate solution. Hardwood floors, lumber, and other products store carbon and prevent its release into the atmosphere. By establishing a hardwood education grant program, Congress can promote jobs in rural America while improving the environment.
Expand International Markets. The hardwood sector is a powerful exporter of products “Made in the U.S.A.” and relies on foreign customers to support high quality jobs at home. To that end, remind your lawmakers of the importance of increased funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program which support U.S. hardwood exports. - Oppose Tax Hikes that Harm American Hardwood Companies. The Hardwood Federation supports favorable tax rates for small and medium sized businesses, including family-owned companies. It’s important to communicate the benefits of the small business tax deduction, flexible estate tax provisions, and 100 percent expensing of equipment included within the tax reform law of 2017 and oppose any efforts to roll them back. To that end, tell Congress to support the ALIGN Act, introduced by Sen. Jim Lankford (R-OK) and Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX), which will make 100 percent expensing permanent.
- Fix the Driver Shortage. Supply chains still aren’t fixed, largely because of the shortage of truckers on the road. Tell Congress to pass the bipartisan “Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act,” introduced by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This important bill will tackle the trucker shortage by promoting apprenticeships to address recruitment challenges within a severely understaffed and rapidly aging sector.
Mark Your Calendar: The Hardwood Federation Fly-In is June 13 – 15, 2023. To sign up and reserve your room, please click here.
Source: Hardwood Federation