Strong Opposition to Federal Excise Tax Needed

Current conference discussions aimed at a compromise between the House and Senate versions of federal health legislation continue to include a 40 percent federal excise tax on health benefits costs that exceed $8,500 for single coverage and $23,000 for family.

Your immediate action is needed to oppose this additional new tax.

The House version contains a reasonable alternative that would fund health care reform through a tax on millionaires – defined as individuals making over $500,000 and families with incomes over $1 million.

As proposed, the federal excise tax will amount to a tax increase that will fall mainly on middle class workers and their families and is not fair.

Here’s what you need to do:

· Call your senators and tell them to oppose any measure that contains an excise tax:

Senator Frank Lautenberg, (973) 639-8700

Senator Robert Menendez, (973) 645-3030

· Call your congressman and tell him to oppose any measure that contains an excise tax. If you need help identifying your congressman, go to njea.org to find that information.

Attached is a Congressional district locator and roster as well as a sample phone script y ou may want to use to make your calls.

Additional information is available – and will be updated – at www.njea.org.

Act now to oppose this added tax – this bill could be finalized within days!

Helpful Tips from your friends at AAMCO of Asbury Park This week something informative and interesting to research – Vehicle Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). There are two types of motor vehicle safety notices – recalls and TSB (technical service bulletins). A recall is when a vehicle has a defect affecting vehicle safety as determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). This type of notice is a Mandatory Recall. There are also Voluntary Recalls, as when the manufacturer recalls vehicles for a defect not necessarily related to safety. Typically, repairs made under a recall are paid for by the manufacturer through the dealer network. The other type of notice is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), and is issued when a known problem or condition exists in certain vehicles and contains a repair for that problem. A TSB can also be issued to notify auto service centers of diagnostic procedure changes, modified or improved parts or service manual revisions and updates. TSBs are typically reimbursable only within the warranty period. This means that if the vehicle is within its warranty period, repair as outlined by the TSB is paid for by the manufacturer through the dealer network. If the vehicle is out of warranty, the customer is responsible for the repairs. Please remember that your local AAMCO of Asbury Park is ready to handle all of your vehicle service needs, including those out of warranty repairs indicated by Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). I hope you’ll give us a chance to provide outstanding service to you, your family, and your friends.