AFS/CMI NEWS Government Affairs Conference: Major Regulations Mounting
Former Indiana Congressman David McIntosh told attendees of a government affairs conference in May that regulatory measures are now costing the U.S. economy more than $1 trillion annually and that more regulations are on the way. “A staggering 3,503 final rules
were promulgated alone in 2009,” said McIntosh. “The U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) is advancing over 25 proposed major rules—those costing over $100 mil- lion—and 173 others. The Depart- ment of Health and Human Ser- vices is expected to release 30,000 pages of new health care regulations. Eleven different agencies are draft- ing 243 new rules governing the cost and access to credit for businesses.” According to metalcasting industry
advocates, these proposals ensure there will be a large number of new major regulations proposed and promulgated over the next two to three years. To address these and other con-
cerns, more than 100 metalcasters from across the country attended the Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Conference, co-sponsored by the American Foundry Society and North American Die Casting Associa- tion from May 4-6, and visited 130 congressional offices from 25 states, telling lawmakers the path to recovery lies in bringing certainty to the regula- tory environment. During the meetings, attendees of
the conference focused on restoring balance to the regulatory process, bur- densome EPA regulations, the need for quality and affordable health care, in- frastructure investment, and legislation that strengthens U.S. manufacturing. Conference attendees also heard
from more than 15 speakers, including policy experts, hill staff and members of Congress, on a wide range of legis- lative and executive issues impacting the metalcasting industry. During a lunch session on May 4, Stan Collender, an expert on fed-
eral fiscal and monetary policies and partner in Qorvis Communications, briefed participants on the upcom- ing debate over the debt ceiling in Congress, as the government moves closer to reaching its existing bor- rowing limit and as Treasury officials and Wall Street executives debate the consequences of it not being raised. “Tis year’s conference was well
received by our members, and their advocacy efforts were productive,” said AFS President Tim McMillin, vice president of Fairmount Miner- als, Chardon, Ohio. “It is gratifying that in the days after our meetings, numerous legislators cosponsored key regulatory reform legislation, such as the Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act, which is expected to be voted on in the weeks ahead.”
CMI COURSE SCHEDULE AUGUST 1-28
Analysis of Casting Defects INTERNET
AUGUST 23-25
Investment Casting Gating & Defect Analysis SCHAUMBURG, ILL.
AUGUST 29- SEPTEMBER 25
Green Sand Control INTERNET
AUGUST 30-31
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
SCHAUMBURG, ILL. SEPTEMBER 20-22
Chemically Bonded Molding & Coremaking
SCHAUMBURG, ILL. SEPTEMBER 28-29
Essential Leadership Skills YORK, PA.
Chris Norch (left), AFS government affairs committee chairman, presents U.S. Representative Ralph Hall (R-Texas) an award for his support of the metalcasting industry at the 2011 Metalcasters Alliance for Government Affairs Conference.
June 2011 MODERN CASTING | 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60