November 21, 2011

President Signs Withholding Repeal Into Law
The president signed H.R. 674 into law, finalizing the repeal of a requirement that federal, state, and certain local governments withhold as tax 3% of all payments made to government contractors.
 
Since the withholding requirement's passage in 2006, NSPE has been working with the Government Withholding Relief Coalition and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to repeal the mandate. NSPE also sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI-4) in support of the repeal.
 
In addition to NSPE's advocacy of H.R. 674, NSPE members responded to an NSPE Legislative Action Center alert asking them to contact their senators in support of the bill, helping to build a critical mass of opinion that ensured the bill passed the Senate.
 
Read NSPE's blog on the repeal here.

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November 16, 2011

NSPE Declares Victory Over Burdensome Withholding Tax
After a five-year battle, NSPE helped overturn an onerous tax-withholding mandate that would have placed significant financial and administrative burdens on engineering firms and other businesses that contract with the government. H.R. 674, which passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support, repeals a requirement that federal, state, and certain local governments withhold as tax 3% of all payments made to government contractors. The tax would have taken effect on January 1, 2013.
 
The tax would have been an interest-free loan to the government while causing cash flow problems for engineering firms and other businesses, costing them the vital funds they needed to conduct day-to-day business (including paying subcontractors). Rather than pay taxes at the end of the year, the government would have withheld 3% of contract fees up front, forcing firms to attempt to recoup their expenses at the end of the year.
 
Since the withholding requirement's passage in 2006, NSPE has been working with the Government Withholding Relief Coalition and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to repeal the mandate. NSPE also sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI-4) in support of the repeal.
 
In addition to NSPE's advocacy of H.R. 674, NSPE members responded to an NSPE Legislative Action Center alert asking them to contact their senators in support of the bill, helping to build a critical mass of opinion that ensured the bill passed the Senate.
 
Read NSPE's blog on the repeal here.

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November 15, 2011

NSF Investments in Innovation Support Engineering Research
Senior Manager of Government Relations Sarah Ogden represented NSPE at a Coalition for National Science Funding meeting, where NSF Assistant Director for the Engineering Directorate Thomas Peterson discussed NSF programs that focus on innovation in engineering.
 
NSPE is a member of CNSF, an alliance of more than 125 organizations united by a concern for the future of the national science, mathematics, and engineering professions. CNSF supports increasing national investment in the National Science Foundation's research and education programs.

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November 10, 2011

Senate Passes Withholding Repeal
The Senate passed H.R. 674 by a vote of 95 to 0. H.R. 674 would repeal a requirement set forth in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (PL 109-222) that federal, state, and certain local governments withhold 3% of all payments to engineering firms and other vendors as tax. If the requirement is not repealed, the tax will take effect on January 1, 2013. The House passed H.R. 674 on October 27; but because the Senate-passed bill includes amendments to the original bill, H.R. 674 now must return to the House for final approval before it can be sent to the President for signature. The House is scheduled to vote on the measure next week.
 
NSPE continues to work with the Government Withholding Relief Coalition to pass H.R. 674. NSPE is a member of the Government Withholding Relief Coalition, a group of more than 140 organizations that share the goal of repealing the 3% withholding law.
 
NSPE would like to thank the NSPE members who used the NSPE Legislation Action Center to contact their senators regarding the withholding repeal. Our combined efforts are helping to ensure that professional engineers stay in business.

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November 7, 2011

NSPE Supports Energy Efficiency Funding to Promote Green Building
NSPE sent a letter with members of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition to targeted Senate appropriations leaders urging them to support FY12 funding for the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the U.S. Energy Information Administration in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 2354). Both EERE and EIA support and promote high-performance building.
 
NSPE is a member of the HPBCCC, a coalition of more than 100 associations and corporations that seeks to heighten awareness and inform policymakers about high-performance building issues, including new building technologies, enhanced U.S. economic competitiveness, and increased energy efficiency. The coalition provides guidance and support to the congressional High-Performance Buildings Caucus.

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November 4, 2011

COFPAES Meets with GSA Federal Acquisition Service
Senior Manager of Government Relations Sarah Ogden represented NSPE at a Council on Federal Procurement of Architectural and Engineering Services meeting with General Services Administration Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Steve Kempf.
 
NSPE is a founding member of COFPAES, an organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the Brooks Act (PL 92-582) and the use of qualifications-based selection.

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November 3, 2011

Contact Your Senators Today to Urge 3% Withholding Repeal
Despite the strong bipartisan support H.R. 674 earned in the House, Senate passage of the bill remains uncertain. H.R. 674 would repeal a requirement set forth in the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (PL 109-222) that federal, state, and local governments withhold 3% of all payments to engineering firms and other vendors as tax. If the requirement is not repealed, the tax will take effect on January 1, 2013. Please contact your senators today using the NSPE Legislative Action Center and ask them to pass H.R. 674 without amendment or modification.

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