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 House Committee Reviews Proposed Tax Reforms for Small Businesses |
On April 10, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business, chaired by Sam Graves (R-MO), held a hearing to examine the effects that tax reform may have on small businesses throughout the country.
U.S. Representative Dave Camp (R-MI), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, testified on his recently issued discussion draft outlining reforms to the tax code to help small businesses.
Chairman Camp stated that small businesses drive economic growth and job creation in the American economy but what the current tax rules and regulations are doing to their growth and contributions to the financial system is burdensome and costly. “Tax compliance costs are 65 percent higher for small businesses than for big businesses, costing small business owners $18 billion to $19 billion per year,” the Chairman stated. He offered to the Committee two approaches to modernizing the way taxes pass through businesses in an attempt to simplify tax rules that affect small businesses and their workers.
Chairman Graves praised Chairman Camp’s discussion draft and testimony, reiterating that the average tax compliance cost per employee for small businesses is almost three times the per employee cost for the average-sized business. “In order to address this inequity, Washington must begin a productive discussion on how to reform the system,” Chairman Graves concluded.
NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks also provided a written statement in support of Chairman Camp’s efforts to simplify the tax code for small businesses.
For more information about the hearing and to read Chairmen Graves’ and Camp’s full testimonies, click here. Back to Top
In one week, NATA will host its first Aviation Business & Legislative Conference in the Washington, D.C. area. This event is a rebrand and refocus of our FBO Leadership Conference that was held in previous years. The Aviation Business & Legislative Conference provides value and business and industry advice to all of our members. In addition, it affords our members from each constituency an opportunity to connect with one another.
We are looking forward to a full schedule of events that week in addition to the conference programming, including sessions on the business aviation outlook, generational leadership, disaster recovery and assistance and new healthcare laws as well as sessions providing information on the latest regulatory and legislative issues from the Transportation Security Administration, FAA and key senior Capitol Hill staff.
To read more about what the Aviation Business & Legislative Conference has to offer, click here. Back to Top
| NATA Disappointed In President’s Budget Proposal |
NATA expressed disappointment in the Obama administration’s fiscal year 2014 budget proposal released last week, which includes a $100 per-flight user fee on general aviation as well as a change in the current tax depreciation schedule for general aviation aircraft.
“NATA is very disappointed that the President once again proposed costly user fees on general aviation,” said President and CEO Tom Hendricks. “Congress rejected this idea on several occasions, and NATA and the entire general aviation industry will continue to work hard to ensure that the user fee proposal doesn’t see the light of day. We need to embrace ideas that create jobs, reduce burdens imposed on businesses, and improve our Nation’s economy. This user fee proposal will kill jobs, create burdens on businesses, and dampen our economy.”
A letter opposing user fees on general aviation, signed by 223 bipartisan Members of Congress and sent to the President last week, stated that the proposal should be abandoned once and for all.
The President proposes a $3.77 trillion budget for next fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2013. According to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, the President’s budget proposal raises taxes by $1.1 trillion, increases spending over current levels by $964 billion, and adds $8.2 trillion to our nation’s debt. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta informed NATA and other aviation stakeholders during a conference call last Wednesday that the President’s budget, with respect to the FAA, proposes to fund the agency at $15.6 billion in fiscal year 2014.
The President also proposes to increase the depreciation recovery period for general aviation airplanes, such as corporate jets, from its current five years to seven years. “This would be another hit on general aviation that doesn’t do much in terms of deficit reduction but would certainly have a negative impact on the aircraft manufacturing sector, and we will continue to urge Congress to dispose of this proposal as well,” stated Hendricks. Back to Top
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon recently presented a proclamation proclaiming April 2013 as “General Aviation Appreciation Month” across the state. General aviation has an enormous impact to the economy, business growth, and community support throughout Missouri.
Missouri is home to 128 public-use airports that serve 3,847 pilots and 6,814 general aviation aircraft, according to the Alliance for Aviation Across America. The Missouri Department of Transportation notes that general aviation contributes $1.1 billion to the state’s economy and maintains 11,000 jobs.
In response to the proclamation, NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks stated, “Governor Nixon’s proclamation raises awareness of general aviation’s contributions to the success of local businesses, airports and communities across Missouri. NATA and its 41 member companies in Missouri applaud the Governor’s actions in recognizing general aviation as a vital resource to the state’s competitiveness and growth.” Back to Top
| Speakers For Legislative Panel Announced |
Key senior Capitol Hill staff from the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, including those from transportation, appropriations, and tax writing committees will be on hand to discuss a variety of aviation and political issues. Discussion topics will include the legislative agenda for the 113th Congress and issues affecting general aviation in particular. Bringing together some of the most senior and respected Capitol Hill aides in Washington, this promises to be a very insightful and informative discussion.
Speakers:
Will Kinzel, Policy Advisor to Speaker John Boehner
Darrel Thompson, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intergovernmental and External Affairs to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Warren Payne, Policy Director for Chairman Dave Camp, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means
Dena Baron, Majority Clerk for U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Richard Swayze, Majority Senior Professional Staff for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee Aviation
For more information or to register, visit www.nata.aero/ablc. Back to Top
| NATA Spring Committee Meetings Taking Place April 24 |
The NATA Airport Business, Air Charter, Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology, and Safety 1st Committees will hold in-person meetings on Wednesday, April 24, following the conclusion of NATA’s Aviation Business & Legislative Conference. All NATA members are invited to attend the committee meetings.
NATA recently announced that the association completed a restructuring of the member committees to align more closely with NATA’s strategic goals. Under the revised structure, the following committees will exist:
- Airport Business Committee – This committee will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by businesses operating on an airport, including FBOs, repair stations, charter operators and other aeronautical service and support operations. The Airport Business Committee will initially include members of the previous Airports, Business Management and Environmental Committees.
- Air Charter Committee – This committee will remain unchanged and continue to focus on issues affecting Part 135 on-demand air charter and Part 91K operations.
- Aircraft Maintenance and Systems Technology Committee – This committee will also remain unchanged and continue to focus on issues affecting aircraft maintenance and certificated repair stations.
- Safety 1st Committee – The Safety 1st Committee will consist of members of the previous Safety and Security Committee and will provide input and advice on NATA’s highly successful Safety 1st programs.
- Flight Training Committee – This committee will remain unchanged and continue to focus on issues impacting flight training providers, including certificated and non-certificated flight schools and Part 142 training centers.
To register for the 2013 Spring Committee Meetings, please use this form or register online by clicking here. Back to Top
| What FBO Customers Want - AIN Survey Says... |
Aviation International News (AIN) surveys users every year and ranks FBOs according to their input. Join Curt Epstein and David Leach to gain perspective on the background of this survey and the mechanics behind its highly anticipated results.
What will you take away from this webinar? - The historical background of this survey
- The methodical process behind this survey
- The categories that evolved over the years
- Highly anticipated comments of the users
- Knowledge of who the top ranked FBOS are
- Reasons why users avoid an FBO
- Reasons why users select an FBO
Speakers: Curt Epstein and David Leach with Aviation International News
When: May 2, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. EDT
Click here to register. Back to Top
NATA recently announced that Ascent Aviation has chosen NATA Safety 1st to provide training to its network of branded fuel dealers. Through this agreement, Ascent’s branded customers will receive comprehensive training in an easy to administer, self-paced and self-directed online platform through NATA Safety 1st.
“In providing our customers the best in safety training, there was really only one choice, NATA Safety 1st,” stated Senior Marketing Manager Stephanie Jordan of Ascent Aviation. “Safety 1st is the industry leader in providing training for FBOs and other aviation facilities; training with Safety 1st will be a great value for our customers.”
“We are tremendously excited about this opportunity to work with Ascent and their branded customers,” said NATA Director of Safety & Training Michael France. “Our aim is to provide quality service with an emphasis on safety.”
For more information on NATA Safety 1st training, please visit www.nata.aero/plst. Back to Top
| Pro Pilot Names 2013 PRASE Survey Winners |
Last week, Pro Pilot released its 2013 PRASE Survey winners list. NATA congratulates the 2013 Pro Pilot PRASE Survey winners. Many of the winners are NATA members and Safety 1st participants. Click here for the list of winners. Back to Top
| Should You As An Owner Be Included Or Excluded From Workers’ Compensation Insurance Coverage? |
Since most owners are involved in the day-to-day operations of a company, it makes sense to cover them for any on-the-job injuries. Workers’ Compensation Insurance normally covers the full cost of an on-the-job injury and may even supplement lost income. With most individual medical plans requiring a co-pay or deductible, it could cost a lot to cover an on-the-job injury, and some individual medical plans could decline coverage due to the occurrence being caused by an on-the-job accident. Covering an owner or officer through Workers’ Compensation Insurance may be your best option.
Have your agent contact our Workers’ Compensation Insurance program administrator, Beacon Aviation Insurance Services, at www.beaconais.com for assistance with this or any of your other insurance needs. Back to Top
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NATA is the National Air Transportation Association
Founded in 1940, NATA aggressively promotes safety and the success of aviation service businesses through its advocacy efforts before government, the media and the public as well as by providing valuable programs and forums to further its members' prosperity.
National Air Transportation Association
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Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 800-808-6282
Fax: 703-845-8176
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