Critical Decisions Will Have Lasting Effects on Small-Business Community

As the 2012 SEMA Show opens its doors, the world’s eyes will be focused on the final days of this year’s contentious election campaign. Candidates across the country are making their closing arguments to attract any undecided voters who may still have a chance of affecting the final outcome.

SEMA Members Join Third Annual Celebration

On July 13, 2012, SEMA-member companies joined with SEMA staff and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the third annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). Nearly 200 official events were held in the United States, Canada and Australia to commemorate the day, which was designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 452, sponsored by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Tester and Burr also serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, a group of more than 90 lawmakers who recognize the unique cultural impact of the automotive specialty-equipment industry.

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act; Employers Face Important Decisions

After months of speculation and uncertainty, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was constitutional, including the mandate that requires individuals to obtain minimum coverage by 2012 or face a penalty tax. The Court’s decision now sets in motion full implementation of the law. This article focuses on upcoming decisions to be considered by SEMA-member companies.

At the request of SEMA and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA), the U.S. Senate passed Resolution 452 (S. Res. 452) designating July 13, 2012, as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” The date marks the third commemoration in what has become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.

With a backdrop of state-of-the-art auto equipment, the 5th Annual Racing and Performance Expo in St. Charles, Illinois, was the perfect venue for a SEMA Town Hall meeting and the 130 SEMA members who attended. The evening’s special guest, Congressman Randy Hultgren (R-IL), provided insight on the current political and legislative landscape in Washington and heard from SEMA members about issues affecting business owners.

The 2010 Congressional elections provided a sweeping change throughout the country. More than 70 new members of Congress were elected, and control of the House of Representatives switched parties. SEMA members in northern Michigan recently had the opportunity to meet their new representative, Congressman Dan Benishek, during a SEMA-sponsored Congressional District Site Visit at Classic Instruments.

I am not the world’s greatest authority on the subject of cars and propulsion systems, but I’m probably pretty high on the list in Congress. Some people want cars to go away entirely. Others think we are headed to all electrics, all hybrids or fuel cells. Of course, there are 130 million cars and trucks in the United States today, which are almost entirely powered by gasoline.

Once a year, automotive performance and restoration enthusiasts descend on the Detroit, Michigan, area to celebrate the Woodward Dream Cruise, the largest one-day collector-car event in the world. Many vehicles at the Dream Cruise are equipped with specialty equipment manufactured in the greater Detroit area. To recognize the importance of these manufacturers and SEMA members to the American economy, Congressman Gary Peters toured Dart Machinery in Troy, Michigan, only a few miles from Woodward Avenue.

Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill, supported by SEMA, to enable low-volume car manufacturers to provide a range of specialty vehicles for customers nationwide. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a regulatory structure to facilitate the production of these cars. Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) have joined as original co-sponsors of The Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act (H.R. 3274) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Each August, members of Congress spend the month in their districts meeting select businesses and organizations to learn more about how policies crafted in Washington directly affect homegrown industries. These events can help provide solutions to issues specific to local congressional districts and businesses while helping to establish long-term working relationships between SEMA members and their elected officials.