As the year winds down, don't expect much forward motion on several legislative issues that impact tire dealers, says Paul Fiore, director of government and business relations for the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
Small Business Health Plan legislation "is not moving at a rapid pace," says Fiore. "My gut feeling is that it won't happen until after the presidential election. It's such a hot button issue, it may take a newly elected president to put the right things in place."
Regarding the controversial Estate Tax, Fiore reports that a hearing was held Nov. 15 in the full Senate Finance Committee. "I was encouraged to hear some Democratic senators speak about the frustration and cost (experienced by small businesspeople) in planning for the Estate Tax."
On the issue of Right to Repair, Fiore reports that TIA is "going to watch Massachusetts." Hearings for the state's own Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act were held this past summer. (The bill was introduced into the Massachusetts state legislature in June.)
Congress is currently in recess, Fiore notes, and is scheduled to resume activities on Dec. 3, working up through its holiday break.
