Tax reform is making headlines.
ACSA’s Legislative Affairs Committee is feverishly working to reduce the burdensome Federal Excise Tax (FET) on your behalf. NOW is your time to join us and act.
FET reform must be a part of the House and Senate tax bill language. Our legislation, H.R.747 has more House Co-sponsors, 284, than ANY other tax bill in the House. S.236 has 51 Co-sponsors. The bill will reduce the FET for craft producers from $13.50 to $2.70 per proof gallon removed from bond.
Call your House Members who serve on the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate members who serve on Senate Finance TODAY, NOVEMBER 1ST. The attached spread sheet identifies your State. Talking points are also attached. If you do not have a Member on the Ways and Means and/or Senate Finance Committee – call your Congressman and Senators and tell them how important it is to include H.R.747 & S.236 in the major tax bill.
If you have any questions, please call or email me. We know there is strength in numbers so are counting on you.
Cheers —
Mark Shilling, ACSA President
Legislative Affairs Committee Member
Treaty Oak Distilling, Dripping Springs, TX
(512) 217-1781
CALL TO ACTION: FEDERAL EXCISE TAX BILL UPDATE
Small Distiller Parity
The AMERICAN CRAFT SPIRITS ASSOCIATION (“ACSA”) is your industry association. As one of the first undertakings of the ACSA, the Legislative Working Party is continuing the work, preparing a bill for introduction at the Federal level which would reduce your Federal Excise Tax rate by 80%, to match the kind of discount enjoyed by craft brewers and small wineries. This bill will free up cash to hire additional staff, to buy a new still, to pave your parking lot. Do it today.
Our Fight to Reduce the FET Continues into 2017
ACSA, together with an alliance of industry trade groups, pushes for support for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017 (CBMTRA). CBMTRA is a comprehensive legislative proposal that would give you growth, investment, and new job opportunities
CALL TO ACTION
Legislative Fly-In July 24th and 25th in Washington, DC
Facts: In February 2017, Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) re-introduced S. 236, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. The bill includes a reduction in the Federal Excise Tax (FET) from $13.50 to $2.70 for the first 100,000 proof gallons of spirits, an 80% reduction in the FET for craft producers. The House also moved forward and re-introduced H.R. 747, a companion bill to the House, with Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI) introducing that bill.
Your Role: Come join us during ACSA’s annual Legislative Fly-In in Washington, DC. Meet with home state legislators in the U.S. Congress. NO PRIOR LOBBY EXPERIENCE NEEDED. WE WILL PROVIDE TRAINING.
When: Monday, July 24th and Tuesday, July 25th
The Fly-In kicks off with a members evening reception at 6:30 pm followed by morning visits and briefings at the House and the Senate on Capitol Hill. A Congressional reception will take place on Tuesday night, too.
JUST ADDED: A fundraising luncheon on Tuesday with Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Hon. Kevin Brady (R-TX).
Accommodations: For your convenience, the American Craft Spirits Association has arranged a block of rooms at Hyatt Place Washington, DC/National Mall. To reserve your space, please call 888.492.8847 and mention ACSA while making your reservation. You can also book reservations here. Please complete your reservation as the discount room rate is only available until July 10th. Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall, 400 E ST NW, Washington, DC 20024
Contact the ACSA Legislative Committee if you have any questions
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (WITH LOCATIONS TBA):
Monday, July 24th
All Day Arrivals throughout day to Hyatt Place Washington DC/National Mall, 400 E Street, NW
5:30 pm Orientation Session and Lobbying 101 for early arrivals
6:30 pm Members Welcome Reception on Capitol Hill
8:30 pm Dinner on Your Own
Tuesday, July 25th
8:30 am First Annual Awards Presentation Breakfast for Select Legislators Who Most Support Our Craft Spirits Industry
9:30 am Industry Speaker
10-11 am Visits with Members of Congress
11:30 am Fundraiser & Lunch with Chair of the Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX).
Capitol Hill Club (Bolton Room)
1-5 pm Meetings with Members of Congress
6-8 pm Debriefing with Congressional Reception to Follow
8:00 pm Dinner on Your Own
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
MARK SHILLING
Chair, Legislative Affairs
Revolution Spirits
(512) 358-1203
mark@revolutionspirits.com
JIM HYLAND
ACSA Lobbyist
Pennsylvania Avenue Group
Jim@PennsylvaniaAvenueGroup.com
TOM MOONEY
Legislative Committee Member
House Spirits
Thomas@housespirits.com
PAUL HLETKO
Legislative Committee Member
Few Spirits
paul@fewspirits.com
CHRIS MONTANA
Legislative Committee Member
Du Nord Craft Spirits
chris.montana@dunordcraftspirits.com
NICOLE AUSTIN
Legislative Committee Member
n.m.austin@gmail.com
CARLO LURI
Legislative Committee Member
Bently Heritage
carlo@bentlyenterprises.com
BRYAN JENNINGS
Legislative Committee Member
Triple Eight Distilling
bryan@ciscobrewers.com
JARED RAPP
Legislative Committee Member
Traverse City Whiskey Co.
jr@tcwhiksey.com
STEPHEN GOULD
Legislative Committee Member
Golden Moon Distillery
s.gould@gouldglobal.com
SCOTT BLACKWELL
Legislative Committee Member
High Wire Distilling
scott@highwiredistilling.com
JAY DIPRIZIO
Legislative Committee Member
Chicago Distilling Company
jay@chicagodistilling.com
ACSA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE
2016 Legislative Policy Conference
ACSA June 5th Webinar Highlights
FET Bill Components & Talking Points
2015 DISCUS PUBLIC POLICY CONFERENCE
The Distillery Fairness and Excise Tax Reform Act
