With the election of Donald Trump, Republicans in Congress now see an opportunity to enact comprehensive tax reform, which may include a damaging “tariff in disguise” that could cause significant harm to the aftermarket parts industry. A provision, known as the Border Adjustability Tax (BAT), under consideration by Republican leaders, seeks to punish businesses that import products Read more…
The administration of President-elect Donald Trump has promised sweeping tax reforms that include a reduction in corporate tax rates for U.S. companies. A final figure has not been determined, but a reduction of the current 35 percent corporate tax rate to 20 percent or even 15 percent is on the table for discussion. But other new tax Read more…
A federal court in Texas has blocked the start of a rule that would have made an estimated 4 million more American workers eligible for overtime pay next week. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas ruled that, in creating the new minimum salary threshold regulations, the Department of Read more…
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article first appeared in CAPCON – Michigan Capitol Confidential, a news source for Michigan residents who want an alternative to “bigger government” remedies in policy debates. CapCon reports on the public officials who seek to limit government, those who do not, and those whose votes are at odds with what they say. Sponsor says Read more…
House Bill 4344 passed the Michigan State Senate yesterday afternoon by a wide margin. The bill has now moved back to the House of Representatives for concurrence. If that occurs it will be passed into law. This bill will have a disastrous effect on the aftermarket parts industry in Michigan, will cost consumers millions of additional dollars, Read more…
Jim Sherman is founder and owner of Sherman Auto Parts in Washington, Michigan. This article first appeared on the website mlive.com. By Jim Sherman While the car companies alternately announce unprecedented earnings growth and record-breaking numbers of vehicle recalls, lawmakers in Lansing are set to pass legislation that would put more money in the automakers’ pockets while Read more…
This article originally appeared in the MIRS (Michigan Information and Research Service Inc.) Capitol Capsule newsletter on Friday, May 6, 2016. It was written by Lauren Gibbons, Senate Reporter. Legislation requiring auto mechanics use parts coming from the original manufacturer, if at all possible, is drawing criticism from some retailers who claim the bill would threaten their Read more…
A national consumer watchdog group has taken a strong stand against a bill in the Michigan legislature that would severely restrict consumer choice and drive up repair costs. In a letter to Michigan legislators, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) urged them to reject House Bill 4344, stating in part: In addition to rejecting efforts to raise taxes Read more…
Michigan HB4344, the Motor Vehicle Service Repair Act, was recently amended to prohibit collision repair shops from using the majority of the aftermarket parts available today in the first six years of a vehicle’s life. The bill would require that the only non-automaker parts used in repairs be “verified by a nationally recognized automotive parts testing agency.” Read more…
A bill currently under consideration by the Louisiana House of Representatives (HB559) would prohibit the use of aftermarket parts for certain safety-related repairs, including anti-lock brakes and air bags. But additional language in the current version of the bill could open the door to a wider interpretation of its intent, with potential impact on other types of Read more…
