APIC Action Alert - RED

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*** ATTENTION - RED ALERT ***  Greetings!  NAIFA Washington members - CALL TO ACTION Please read the information below and CALL the offices of the listed legislators to ask them to:  "adopt an amendment to the JLARC report on tax preferences which would maintain the current tax treatment of insurance producers!"  The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) agenda includes a proposed final report to JLARC from JLARC staff.  We expect that this report will be to adopt the Citizens' Commission on Tax Preference's report on what tax "preferences" should be retained or eliminated.  The Commission recommended that the legislature increase the B&O tax rate for insurance producer commissions from 0.484% to the professional services B&O tax rate of 1.80% (professional services rate including the rate surcharge) unless the legislature had a compelling reason to maintain the rate. NAIFA Washington members - PLEASE ACT NOW If you live in one of these three districts contact them right away and make our voice heard. Remember, to our industry, the B&O tax is like an income tax because we cannot pass that on to the consumer as most other business owners can. Sen. Nick Harper (38th District, Everett) CALL 360-786-7674 or EMAIL nick.harper@leg.wa.gov Rep. Derek Stanford (1st District, Bothell) CALL 360-786-7928 or EMAIL derek.stanford@leg.wa.gov Rep. Kathy Haigh (35th District, Shelton) CALL 360-786-7966 or EMAIL kathy.haigh@leg.wa.gov Below are all the members of JLARC (access contact information here): State Senators: Randi Becker (2nd), Nick Harper (38th), Mike Hewitt (16th), Jeanne Kohl-Welles (36th), Sharon Nelson (34th), Janéa Holmquist Newbry (13th), Linda Evans Parlette (12th) State Representatives: Gary Alexander (2nd), Cathy Dahlquist (31st), Kathy Haigh (35th), Ed Orcutt (20th), Derek Stanford (1st), Hans Zeiger (25th) There will be no public testimony at this hearing, but I wanted to assure you that we are actively working on JLARC members to adopt an amendment to the report which would maintain the current tax treatment of insurance producers. Keep in mind that this is not a bill. This report is only a recommendation from JLARC that may be made to the full legislature.  However, we want to ensure the recommendation does NOT propose any changes to the current tax treatment for industries with regulated pricing, like ours. The B&O tax rates will remain the same unless a bill is introduced to change them. That hasn't happened yet, but we will keep you fully apprised of all developments.  Sincerely, Jeff Kyle, LUTCF, LTCP President, NAIFA Washington Join Us at DAY ON THE HILL Never before has there been such a need for lawmakers (both federal and state) to hear from us about the invaluable services we provide to their constituents, our clients.  This event is held for you to meet with them; the State Representatives and Senators in your district.  January 29 is your opportunity to shake hands with these elected officials in their Olympia legislative offices and make sure they know you and learn how to call upon you when they are faced with important decisions about this great industry.  REGISTER ONLINE TODAY If INSURANCE is your profession, POLITICS is your business!

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Participate in Day On The Hill

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Day On The Hill 2013 (NAIFA/WAHU) Jointly presented by NAIFA Washington and the Washington Association of Health Underwriters (WAHU) 19 days left - REGISTER TODAY! Now includes 3 hours of WAOIC approved CE credit! (Course #609070)  WHEN Tuesday January 29, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM PST Add to Calendar    WHERE Comfort Inn 1620 74th Avenue SW Tumwater, WA 98501 Driving Directions COST $45 Members (NAIFA or WAHU) Register Now! I can't make it This event sponsored by:   Thank our Annual Sponsors!  PLATINUM PARTNER GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS   Greetings! If INSURANCE is your profession, POLITICS is your business! Never before has there been such a need for lawmakers (both federal and state) to hear from us about the invaluable services we provide to their constituents, our clients. This event is held for you to meet with them; the State Representatives and Senators in your district. January 29 is your opportunity to shake hands with these elected officials in their Olympia legislative offices and make sure they know you and learn how to call upon you when they are faced with important decisions about this great industry. The morning program will include: > 2013 Health Policy Priorities for Health Carriers <  Leanne Gassaway, Regional Vice President America's Health Insurance Plans > 2013 Legislative Priorities for Life Insurers <  John Mangan, Regional Vice President American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) > Update on Activities and Legislative Priorities of the Washington Health Benefits Exchange <  Richard Onizuka, CEO & Keith Bell, SHOP Director Washington Health Benefit Exchange > Issue Briefing - Health and Life Insurance Priorities for NAIFA and WAHU Members < Mel Sorensen, State Lobbyist NAIFA Washington & WAHU Following the morning session you will have the opportunity to meet with your legislators.  If you do not know who your elected officials are you can find your state legislators and their contact information here.  If you have never setup a meeting with your legislator or need material or information on how to conduct a legislator meeting the NAIFA Association Political Involvement Committee (APIC) has a list of resources available online.    Thank you for participating in your NAIFA association!  We look forward to seeing you in Olympia.    Sincerely,    Linda Fox, Administrator NAIFA Washington office@naifawashington.org (360) 350-0521

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Happy New Year!

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Tax Treatment of Life Insurance Turns 100! Greetings!    In addition to wishing you every success for the New Year we at NAIFA Washington want to remind you that 2013 is a special year.  This year marks 100th anniversary of the tax treatment of life insurance! Life insurance is only one of the products and services NAIFA advocates to protect, but it is the one that most commonly comes under attack.  CLICK TO VIEW THE VIDEO In 1913 the US Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1913 which is more commonly known for it's reinstitution of the income tax, following ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. In an unprecedented move Congress made a last-minute amendment to the Act to exempt life insurance death benefit proceeds and inside buildup (cash value) from income taxes. This only happened because of the efforts of NAIFA members.    In the past 100 years NAIFA has successfully warded off 14 serious attempts to amend this provision. Learn more... History of Life Insurance Taxation (YouTube, 9/17/2012, NAIFA) Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, President of ACLI, on Advocacy for the Life Insurance Industry (JHAM Radio, 12/4/2012, John Hancock, MP3) In the words of John F. Kennedy... Don't ask what your industry can do for you. What can you do for your industry? Help NAIFA protect our industry.  Get involved.  Participate. Members: Contribute to IFAPAC, Attend the Congressional Conference (DC), & Participate in Day On The Hill (Olympia) | Non-Members:  Join NAIFA today!

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