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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 165 North Meramec |
Address2 | Suite 430 |
| City | St. Louis |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 63105-3772 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
| City | St. Louis |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 63105-3772 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 56997-12
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6. House ID# 351990000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2017 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Natalie Higgins |
Date | 10/10/2017 3:59:26 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports tax reform efforts. Our general policy positions are outlined as follows:
DEPRECIATION:
a.Change the farm and ranch equipment assigned class life to five years for depreciation purposes. This will match the same assigned class life of construction equipment.
b.Modify the current depreciation schedules for equipment dealer buildings and their contents to accurately reflect actual lifetime usage rates and specialty uses to match the industrys needs.
LIKE KIND EXCHANGES:
a.IRC Section 1031 like-kind exchanges have existed since 1921. The rationale for allowing property owners to defer taxes on asset transfers when they continue their investment in like-kind assets is as valid today as it was in 1921. EDA supports allowing taxpayers to defer taxes when exchanging farm property for farm property (Section 1031 like-kind exchanges). EDA also supports increasing the time allowed to identify exchange property from 45 days to six months and the time allowed to close and receive property from six months to one year.
TECHNICIAN TOOL DEDUCTIONS:
a.The large majority of Americas over 4 million technicians/mechanics must buy their own tools as a condition of employment. Best business practices support this requirement because the user of the tool has the best knowledge of what is needed for the job, and is the best person to maintain and secure the tool. If the employer buys tools, they would be depreciated or expensed on the employers tax return. But, when the employee buys tools as an agent of the employer, the employer typically increases the employees compensation to account for his investment on behalf of the employer. This increase (bump) to compensate for tool expenses gets added to the employers payroll system, subjecting the bump to withholding of taxes payable by the employee and matching payroll taxes payable by the employer. This is inequitable for both the employee and the employer. The employee may have an opportunity under the Internal Revenue Code (the itemized deduction approach) to claim tool expenses as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. However, less than 10% of the technicians/mechanics in America actually utilize this approach because they are limited by standard deduction and 2% of AGI thresholds. It is time for Congress to clarify this issue in order for businesses and their technician/mechanics to receive fair tax treatment in relation to their investment in tools.
LIFO:
a.Do NOT repeal Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) accounting. We oppose any repeal of Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) accounting. LIFO is an accepted accounting method that has been used by our equipment dealers to determine both book income and tax liability. It has been an accepted and established accounting method in the United States for 70 years and any repeal of this tax provision will have significant negative impacts on our dealers currently utilizing LIFO. LIFO also is not a tax expenditure, and repeal would be an unprecedented retroactive tax increase. The LIFO method of inventory best measures income and maximizes cash flow for businesses with inventory costs that are subject to inflation. LIFO and FIFO achieve the same purpose - most closely matching cost of goods sold with the cost of replacement inventory to ensure sufficient after-tax cash flow to ensure business viability. Forcing LIFO users to move to FIFO would create unfair competitive advantages for some companies and industries over others. According to the SBA Office of Advocacy, LIFO repeal would put a significant number of small businesses out of business. According to a 2016 Tax Foundation study, prospective LIFO repeal would lower GDP, cost jobs, and reduce revenue (by as much as $500 billion) annually; retroactive repeal could have an immediate, short-term negative impact on economic output and employment.
DEATH TAX:
a.Repeal the Death Tax. We support H.R. 631, the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017 which was introduced by Congresswoman Kristi Noem.
BUSINESS EXPENDITURES:
a.Delete IRC Section 263A of the IRS Code method that requires businesses to capitalize certain costs, such as labor, handling, purchasing and storage of inventory products, if the business has more than $10 million in annual sales.
PASS THROUGH TAXATION:
a.Ensure tax reform has a balanced approach to taxation through fair and reasonable personal and corporate rates, and doesnt penalize pass-through entities with double taxation.
EDA supports the withdrawal of the proposed regulations under Section 2704 on Restrictions on Liquidation of an Interest for Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes (REG-16311302; 81 F.R. 51413).
EDA opposes S. 812 and H.R. 1879 (companion bills known as the PARTS Act) and H.R. 905 (the Own Your Own Devices Act).
EDA supports the confirmation of President Trump's nominees to the National Labor Relations Board.
EDA supports free and fair trade. EDA supports the modernization and preservation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
EDA supports the withdrawal of the regulations commonly known as the "Waters of the United States".
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor - Dept of (DOL), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports legislation that would allow and support trade with Cuba. U.S. producers compete with Brazil, Canada, and other countries for trade with Cuba that could be best served by the U.S. H.R.442, the Cuba Trade Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman Tom Emmer, is a bill that EDA supports.
EDA supports H.Res 132, Calling on the President to initiate renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and further calling on the President to consider withdrawing the United States from NAFTA if the renegotiations are not satisfactorily completed within one year.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Executive Office of the President (EOP)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 5, introduced by Congressman Bob Goodlatte, is a bill we supported and would like to see passed in the Senate. It is currently being considered by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. H.R. 5 includes vital reform mechanisms including:
1.Requiring agencies to use less costly regulations, rather than more costly regulations, to achieve a given objective.
2.Enabling the judiciary to end judicial deference to bureaucrats statutory and regulatory interpretations.
3.Requiring agencies to explain how their actions affect small business owners, employees, and customers.
4.Preventing new rules with billion-dollar annual costs from taking effect until litigation against them has been resolved. It would not affect current regulations.
5.Requiring agencies to publish already-mandatory transparency reports that they regularly dodge.
6.Requiring agencies to publish summaries of their new rules in the English language, more or less.
EDA would like to see President Trump's nominees to the National Labor Relations Board be confirmed.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor - Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
No lobbying performed on this issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BAN
16. Specific lobbying issues
No lobbying performed on this issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Right to Repair legislation is a trend that EDA has been tracking at the state and federal level. We oppose H.R. 862, known as the You Own Devices Act, introduced by Congressman Blake Farentold. We are concerned that this type of legislation has serious safety and liability concerns. There is currently a great deal of service and repair information which is made available to owners and independent service providers who want to service equipment. As such, the idea that equipment owners cannot service their own equipment is false. In fact, authorized dealers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are partners with their customers offering a wide range of training and educational opportunities to allow customers to perform maintenance and to maximize the productivity of their equipment! That said, repairing highly specialized equipment is an ongoing effort that requires both skill and continued education on the part of OEMs and authorized dealers. The service, diagnostic and repair information that is, in fact, restricted by OEMs to authorized dealers is restricted because this information requires a high degree of skill to interpret the data and perform repairs safely.
EDA opposes S. 812 and H.R. 1879 (companion bills known as the PARTS Act) and H.R. 905 (the Own Your Own Devices Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, White House Office
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code COM
16. Specific lobbying issues
No lobbying performed on this issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ROD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Significant, long-term investments in our nations infrastructure are critical in order to continue to bring American goods to market in a competitive manner. EDA supports the passage of legislation which would provide desperately needed repairs and upgrades including the expansion of rural broadband, roads and bridges, and locks and dams.
Past infrastructure initiatives often focused on urban and suburban areas while not adequately addressing the unique
needs of rural communities. Rural communities have seen their infrastructure deteriorate, jeopardizing their jobs,
their families' health and wellbeing and their competitiveness in both agricultural and other industries important to
rural America.
EDA supports H.R. 3388, the SELF DRIVE ACT, however, EDA would like to see a specific exemption instituted to that it is explicit that the Act is not intended to preempt state equipment dealer protection laws.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code GOV
16. Specific lobbying issues
We support the following pieces of legislation:
oH.R. 33, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman Steve Chabot;
oH.R. 74, the Require Evaluation Before Implementing Executive Wish lists Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman Tom Marino;
oH.R. 76, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman John Ratcliffe.
oH.R. 1430, the HONEST Act to Prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible, introduced by Congressman Lamar Smith.
oH.R. 1101 the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2017, introduced by Congressman Same Johnson. This piece of legislation is currently being considered by the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions.
o S. 577, the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2017, introduced by Senator James Lankford.
oS. 584, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, introduced by Senator James Lankford.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
No lobbying performed on this issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor - Dept of (DOL), U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code RES
16. Specific lobbying issues
No lobbying performed on this issue.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TRU
16. Specific lobbying issues
EDA supports language in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (H.B. 3353) which directs the Department of Transportation to analyze whether a full or targeted delay in ELD implementation and enforcement would be appropriate.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Natalie |
Higgins |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
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