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11/21/2017

Message from Beth--November 21, 2017

Tax Reform and Chapter Integration Updates

 

Chapter Integration in full swing at ACEC OhioBeth Easterday

As part of the three-year Long Range Strategic Plan that was adopted by the Board of Directors in May 2017 and presented at the annual meeting in June, an ACEC Ohio Chapter Integration Task Force was created. The Task Force consists of Board Members and Chapter leadership to study and recommend how to improve the relationship, function and alignment of the chapters with ACEC Ohio.  To review the full strategic plan, click: Strategic Planning Report

Over the last month, this Task Force has been part of a “road show” visiting each chapter and explaining the methodology, progress and goals of the chapter integration initiative.  The Task Force has been diligently at work since July and plans to have an implementation plan to the Board of Directors by April 2018.

To date, the Task Force has identified key areas to review---advocacy, meetings/events, finance/dues, alignment/branding and leadership/training.  After delving down into these broad areas, the group has narrowed the list to three priorities to focus on in the implementation plan:

If you have any questions on the Chapter Integration efforts, feel free to contact any member of the Task Force:

 

Tax Reform Update from D.C.

The Senate Finance Committee made changes to their bill that opened up a new 17.4% deduction to engineering firm passthrough owners with incomes below $500,000 for joint filers and $250,000 for individual filers.  ACEC Is concerned this will still leave out many passthrough owners and they continue to advocate for making it available to all firms without condition, but the needle has at least moved in a positive direction in the Senate.

The House version remains unchanged, except for a small carve out available to very small passthrough owners, but the bulk of our industry would be left out.  ACEC has had some encouraging conversations with House Ways and Means Committee staff about making engineering firms eligible for the 25% rate on business income, but they haven’t yet committed to a fix and indicated that it wouldn’t happen until conference negotiations with the Senate.

Overall, ACEC feels passthroughs are in a better place now than two weeks ago, but there is still a lot of work to do.  The Council urges members to continue their outreach efforts to your congressional members. For a sample letter, click here. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Wishing you a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

~Beth

 

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