Meetings in the Senate on repeal of the estate tax contained in the Bush-era tax cut legislation confirm there is strong support for continuing current estate tax policy of a $5 million exemption and a 35-percent tax rate. Senators Baucus (D-Montana), Landrieu (D-Louisiana), Tester (D-Montana), Pryor (D-Arkansas), and McCaskill (D-Missouri have said they would continue […]

The Advisory Council of Marine Associations (ACMA) met at the Marine Dealer Conference and Expo (MDCE) on Nov. 10 to review 2012 federal and state legislative activities and to project potential legislative action in 2013.            During the meeting, ACMA members discussed ethanol, federal red tape and over regulation, problems with a lack of funds for […]

MRAA continues to closely follow negotiations regarding the Fiscal Cliff. The Fiscal Cliff is defined as the combination of a 10-percent across the board cut of government spending and the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts. MRAA has lobbied in favor of balanced equitable solution and retention of the second home mortgage interest deduction, […]

Yesterday, the American Automobile Association issued a press release opposing E15 gasoline and urging the Environmental Protection Agency to stop the sale of E15 until consumers are better protected. The 53-million member organization is one of the biggest consumer lobby organizations in Washington, D.C., so this news is big for the support of MRAA’s position […]

According to a press release distributed yesterday, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs confirmed that recreational fishing infrastructure such as marinas, tackle and bait stores and public access points that provide fishing access are eligible for disaster assistance under the fishery […]

The following is an article in today’s Washington Post that says the home mortgage interest deduction, including the second home interest deduction, is on the table as a means to address the fiscal cliff. It has been on and off the table for a long time now with staff saying only last week that it […]

WASHINGTON — Pursuant to an order from a U.S. District Court and as required by the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recommended new recreational water quality criteria for states that will help protect peoples’ health during visits to beaches and waters year round. The science-based criteria […]

We’re sharing an article from the Washington Post about the fiscal cliff talks at the White House that concluded a few minutes ago. The positive news coming out of the meeting has sent the major financial markets up today (at least for awhile). As expected, it looks like both sides are willing to compromise and […]

In September, the Obama Administration announced the most strict new vehicle fuel efficiency standards that would require auto manufacturers’ fleet average (CAFE) for automobiles to be 54.5 mpg by 2025. This move was strongly opposed by the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, but had the support of the auto industry and environmentalists. The new […]

The talk on the Hill these days is the Lame Duck Session that is coming after the election and the great concern about the fiscal cliff with its forced 10 percent across the board cut in the federal government budget (known as sequestration) that is due to hit on January 1. Members of both parties […]