JA Political Action Committee Pushes Jewelers Issues in 2012

JAPAC, the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee, is making sure the voice of the retail jewelry industry is heard in Washington as the U.S. gears up for Presidential elections this November.

In June, JAPAC board members and Jewelers of America leaders will return to Washington where they will meet with a number of legislators, including members of Congressional committees with jurisdiction over issues of importance to the jewelry industry, such as the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. This is the second annual trip JAPAC is making to D.C.

The committee will once again ask representatives to stand up for jewelers on issues such as sales tax fairness and protection of LIFO – the last-in, first-out accounting method.

"Lawmakers have the power to either help or hurt jewelers' businesses with the decisions they make," said JA President & CEO Matthew A. Runci. "That's why jewelers need to be at the table, telling their stories and influencing those decisions. Meeting with legislators in person, so they can hear directly from their constituents in the jewelry industry, is one of the most effective ways we have to get our messages across."

In 2010, JAPAC made its biggest and most successful contributions to political campaigns. Ahead of the midterm elections, JAPAC contributed to the campaigns of 28 pro-business candidates in tight or "toss-up" races. Of these, 22 went on to win and many now serve on key committees.

JAPAC is the only PAC that supports the fine retail jewelry industry in Washington, D.C. It has an online platform on Jewelers of America's website, www.jewelers.org, which was recently updated to enable JA members to contribute to the PAC online.