AEM Identifies Key Policy Initiatives for 2006

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has established the public policy initiatives it will advance in 2006 at the international, federal and state/provincial levels.

A major international initiative is support of free trade agreements that give U.S. manufacturers fair market access to global business. At the federal level AEM will address issues including adequate infrastructure funding and a balanced Farm Bill. State/provincial-oriented concerns include agricultural equipment lighting and marking regulations to enhance safety.

AEM is the North American-based international trade group for off-road equipment manufacturers and industry service providers (construction, agricultural, forestry, mining and utility). The association’s Board of Directors sets annual public policy priorities to guide AEM advocacy efforts on behalf of member companies and the entire industry.

In the global arena, the AEM is a longtime supporter of free trade agreements (FTAs) that reduce or eliminate tariffs on American exports, allowing U.S. companies to remain competitive in the international marketplace. In addition to FTA promotion, the association supports efforts to expand international protection of intellectual property rights and World Trade Organizations (WTO) negotiations to reduce tariffs on manufactured goods in WTO-member countries. AEM is also working to increase U.S. government awareness of the negative effects of its current visa policies on American business.

A key federal issue is infrastructure funding, and the AEM is interacting directly with congressional members and through industry coalitions to advocate full funding under transportation reauthorization legislation (SAFETEA-LU).

Other AEM federal legislative priorities include:

• Raising awareness of continued steel pricing and availability issues,
• Supporting “association health plan (AHP)” legislation to allow affordable pooled health care for small and medium-sized businesses,
• Advocating permanent repeal of the estate (or “death”) tax so smaller businesses can plan for the future with more certainty, and
• Supporting product liability/tort and asbestos litigation reform.

More information is available at www.aem.org.