May 4, 2006
The U.S. Senate will debate the Estate Tax issue within the next two weeks. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) has proposed a bill that would raise the exemption level to $5 or $10 million and set the highest overall rate equal to the capital gains rate, currently at 15 percent. This proposal eliminates the current incentive to sell the business instead of passing it on to the next generation.

1. Please fax a copy of the attached letter on company letterhead to your two U.S. Senators. A copy of this letter can also be found at www.nrla.org.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (fax # on letter) Sen. Charles Schumer*
*NRLA has been informed that Senator Schumer’s fax machine in Washington is chronically busy. Therefore, we offer the following alternate fax numbers:
Albany: 518-431-4076 | Binghamton: 602-772-8124 | Buffalo: 716-846-4113 |
Melville: 631-753-0997 | NYC: 212-486-7693 | Rochester: 585-263-3173 |
Red Hook: 845-758-1043 | Syracuse: 315-423-5185

2. Also, please fax a copy to Rita Ferris at (518) 286-1949, or e-mail to rferris@nrla.org. A copy of your letter will be forwarded to the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA).

Thank you for taking the time to help secure the option of a family-owned business legacy.

DATE

The Honorable Hillary Clinton
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
VIA FAX: 202-228-0282

The Honorable Charles Schumer
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
VIA REGIONAL OFFICE FAX

Dear Senator [Last Name]:

I am writing to request your support for Senator Jon Kyl's Estate Tax reform proposal. This proposal will allow small, family-owned businesses to pass on their companies to future generations instead of having to sell the business due to the high Estate Tax burden.
The present Estate Tax phase out law creates a great deal of uncertainty and makes it difficult to continue the family business tradition. The Estate Tax forces businesses to spend significant dollars on estate planning or forces the sale of business at a profit. Without expensive estate planning, the ability to pass on a family-owned business is cost prohibitive.
Senator Jon Kyl's Estate Tax proposal is a good compromise, which will give independent building material suppliers the choice to pass on their business to future generations. I urge you to vote “yes” for Senator Kyl’s proposal. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Back to Action Alert listing