Lumber, taxes and infrastructure at the ProDealer Industry Summit
The lay of the land in regard to legislative and advocacy updates kicked off the 2021 ProDealer Industry Summit.
And high on the list of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealer Association’s (NLBMDA) priorities are softwood lumber, affordable housing, taxes and President Biden’s proposed American Job’s Plan.
Kevin McKenney, NLBMDA director of legislative affairs, noted that the association supports the plan designed to revitalize roads, bridges, airports, schools and public housing, among other upgrades. But the NLBMDA is not behind the package moving forward through big tax hikes.
At this point, Republicans in Congress are supporting a scaled-back version of the infrastructure package. Democrats have a much wider and more expensive package in mind that they are hoping to get approved before the July 4 holiday.
“It remains to be seen if they will get that through,” McKenney said.
Additionally, the NLBMDA is opposed to some of what is included in the Made in America Tax Act proposal that could see corporate income tax rates raised to 28%.
As lumber prices continue to haunt the home builder industry and housing, McKenney emphasized the NLBMDA’s position on the trade of softwood lumber: “We support free-market efforts that increase the supply of domestic lumber and wood products reproduction,” McKenney noted. That includes supporting measures that increase the competitiveness of U.S.-based wood manufacturers.
The NLBMDA also said it supports greater sustainable harvesting of federal forests to meet longer-term lumber demand.
Regarding the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, McKenney said the NLBMDA has advocated for the policy in the past. “Safe and sanitary affordable housing is something that we as an organization support,” he said while noting the move would drive material needs and sales to industry dealers.
The virtual 2021 ProDealer Industry Summit runs through May 21. Click here for registration and the full agenda.