Newsline - Capitol Hill Visit - Special Edition

Volume XII, Issue 4 - March 5, 2010

In This Issue:
-- The Carpet and Rug Institute Visits Capitol Hill
-- CRI Meetings
-- CRI Participation in Upcoming Events

The Carpet and Rug Institute Visits Capitol Hill

On February 24 & 25, CRI hosted two important annual events: the Government Issues Committee Capitol Hill visit and Congressional reception. This year the reception honored the Georgia Delegation as well as friends of the carpet industry. It was held in the Rayburn House Office Building and was very well attended.

Guests from both the House and Senate sides enjoyed food from Chick-Fil-A. After checking with the Congressional Ethics Committee, an area rug was given to each guest on the house side and to Senators Isakson and Chambliss for display in their offices. CRI president Werner Braun was joined by Vice- President and Chief Operating Officer Frank Hurd and Government Relations Director Jenn Mendez. Tracy Hammond, Vice President at Dutko Worldwide, a government affairs strategy and management firm which is helping CRI in its efforts, joined the group. The following CRI-member company representatives and guests were also in attendance:

• Brian Anderson, President, Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce
• Larry Cook, Beaulieu Group and Chairman of the CRI Government Issues Committee
• Louis Fordham, J & J Industries
• Rick Hooper, Shaw Industries, Inc.
• Jim Lucke, Mohawk Industries, Inc.

This year for the first time, there were sufficient participants in the CRI group to form two teams. In addition to meeting with Georgia Senators Chambliss and Isakson, CRI members met with staff from the offices of Sen. Shelby (R-AL), Sen. Hagen (D-NC), Sen. Sessions (R-AL), Sen. Alexander (R-TN), Sen. DeMint (R-SC), Sen. Corker (R-TN) and Sen. Burr (R- NC). On the House side, members met with Georgia Congressmen Broun, Deal, Gingrey, Johnson, Kingston, Lewis, and Price, as well as staff from the offices of Representatives Barrow, Marshall, and Linder. In the office of Congressman Zack Wamp (R- 3rd,TN) CRI participants met with Legislative Aide John Frierson, son of former CRI GIC Chairman Paul Frierson.

During the meetings, CRI participants discussed topics of importance to the carpet industry. The U.S. economy was of primary concern again this year. CRI representatives clearly outlined how the carpet industry is suffering, with residential sales hard-hit by the slowdown in the housing market. Coming from Dalton, historically a stronghold of manufacturing jobs, the group also made it clear that Congress and the nation at large are not paying enough attention to losses in the manufacturing sector.

Each of the member company representatives who made the trip agreed that it was worthwhile. CRI president Werner Braun said this year's trip to Capitol Hill was "highly productive.

      

The following discussion topics are taken directly from the list of "talking points" members used during their meetings with lawmakers.

Employee Free Choice Act (Card Check) Bill

• CRI Strongly opposes legislation
• Concerned about potential Dept. of Labor regulations implementing pieces of the bill

Home Furnishings Tax Credit

• Short-term credit to stimulate consumer spending on home furnishings
• Examples: carpets, other floor coverings, mattresses, paint and wall coatings, etc.
• Necessary for the retail, distribution and manufacturing sector
• Can something like this fit into the job legislation?

Climate Change

• CRI supports Voluntary system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Innovate, don't regulate
• CRI is exceeding Kyoto standards for greenhouse gas emissions

If a mandated, "cap and trade" system is to be implemented, CRI requests the following provisions be included:

• Any federal program should pre-empt state level emissions programs
• Provisions that ensure foreign economies do not gain an unfair advantage due to lax standards - need a level playing field
• Credit for early action Must be included
• Legislation should pre-empt EPA from adding additional regulations

Recycling is a natural follow-on to Climate Change

• CARE - Goal of recycling 40% of all carpet through market-based solutions
• Again the housing market and the auto market have had an affect on the amount of carpet being recycled; a slowing economy means a slowing recycle rate

EPA Coal Fly Ash Regulations

• EPA is preparing y to issue a finding on Coal Fly Ash
• CRI believes and hopes findings will be restricted to wet disposal of coal fly ash
• Coal fly ash is used in carpet backing for several beneficial uses
• If EPA goes beyond what CRI believes is its current plan, negative consequences are likely

Extended Producer Responsibility Laws at the state level

• CRI is concerned about the trend in States to enact EPR legislation for products other than hazardous materials

Contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125.

CRI Meetings

* Sustainability Issues Management Team, March 10, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
* Operating Committee, March 17, 9:00 - 11:00 am
* Policy Committee, April 14, 9:00 - 11:00 am

CRI Participation in Upcoming Events

* CRI West, April 20, Irvine, CA
* NSBA, April 9 - 11, Chicago, IL
* CARE Annual Meeting, April 26 - 28, Sante Fe, NM
* Connections, April 29 - May 1, Clearwater, FL
* School Building Expo, May 11 - 13, Chicago, IL
* BOMA, June 27 - 29, Long Beach, CA
* CEFPI, September 25 - 27, San Jose, CA
* Connections, September 29 - October 1, Las Vegas, NV
* ISSA, November 9 - 12, Orlando, FL
* ACAAI, November 11 - 16, Phoenix, AZ

If you are aware of other events that present significant opportunities to deliver our messages to our critical audiences, please contact Bethany Richmond at 706.428-2125.

Check our website calendar for other industry related events

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