Dear Industry Member:
Hopefully you were among our sizable contingent who stormed Capitol Hill for meetings with Members of Congress and key staff on May 23rd during the 11th Annual National Catalog Forum. We made enormous progress in advancing our primary issues: keeping catalog postage rates in check and easing the challenge our members have ahead in remote sales tax collection, which now takes on greater urgency in light of the Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc.
As their constituents, you presented our industry’s needs and challenges to an audience that heard us loud and clear. But many of those we met with told us we need to continue to be visible on the Hill and come back regularly. Furthermore, our battles will reach crucial turning points as the 115th Congress winds down. The Supreme Court’s unfavorable ruling on June 21st means we need Congress to act on a Federal remote sales tax collection bill ASAP. What’s more, several important postal developments have arisen since we left Washington.
Crucial Next Steps
So with all that in mind, the ACMA is planning on setting up two more Washington fly-ins this year. We must continue to keep these important issues top-of-mind in Congress! We encourage you to join us in these important meetings. Please RSVP to this email (click here or if you’re reading this on a cellphone, please simply hit the reply button, indicate your availability and include your contact info) by Tuesday, June 26th concerning your availability to take part on October 10th and November 14th. Below we explain all the key details:
- What’s the cost? Free. The ACMA feels these fly-ins are so crucial to the catalog industry’s future that we will bear all general costs. Therefore, both fly-ins will be free to ACMA members (though you will still be responsible for your own travel, food & lodging costs, etc.). Non-members are invited too; this is a great way to get to know more about issues affecting your business and what you can do to change outcomes in your favor.
- Why a second fly-in a month later? It’s likely there will be a lame duck session this year. We want to get in early after the mid-term elections to rekindle the relationship and brief our politicos on what must be done. Many of our types of bills historically pass during lame duck sessions.
- What’s next? Plans are coming together as we speak. Therefore, we need to hear from you ASAP advising us whether you can make one or both fly-ins. Simply click here to respond to this email and check off accordingly.
- How should I plan my trip(s)? Plan to fly/rail/drive the afternoon prior as we will have a group dinner and lobby training the evening before. For your return, book an evening flight or train after the Hill meetings; ideally no earlier than a 6:00 pm departure back home.
Thank you. While we all know the fall season is crunch time, the stakes are enormous, so please try to make the appropriate arrangements to join us. Again, please let us know by June 28th