MADA will host our annual Golf Outing and Crab Feast at Queenstown Harbor on the Eastern Shore on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.  

Registration forms were sent out in early August and can also be downloaded from our website. Please send in yours today to reserve your spot on the course!  We'll see you in September!

MADA's director of industry affairs, Travis Martz, recently attended The Maryland Association of Counties [MACO] Annual Convention.  This convention is attended by nearly every state official, lobbyist and government contractor.  The session concluded on a highly controversial note, as Governor O'Malley told attendees during the closing session that tax increases may be needed to dig Maryland out of the current budget deficit.  He also noted that funding for transportation projects is also a large priority for the State.

As many of you know, the Maryland Legislature will reconvene in late October for a Special Session.  While the session's main focus will be re-drawing election maps following the 2010 Census, rules allow for any piece of legislation to be introduced, debated and enrolled into new law.  The Governor's talk at the MACO Convention hints at potential new tax legislation during this Special Session, but it's far from certain as many elected officials in leadership positions do not support any other tax hikes.

Your Association is vigilantly watching the rhetoric surrounding revenue increases in October.  Recently, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee held a hearing on potential tax increases relevant to certain services.  Automobile repair work was itemized as a target for tax applicability.  MADA will aggressively fight to preserve our tax amnesty on repair labor as vehicle repairs are costly, unexpected and detrimental to cash strapped families during this difficult economic time.

Finally, MADA held a membership round-table meeting in Bel Air on August 16th.  Senator Barry Glassman and Delegate Wayne Norman attended the luncheon to learn about dealer issues.  As a result of that meeting, MADA will be meeting with the Bel Air MVA on August 25th to resolve some dealer issues. 

While we do not know what lies ahead during the Special Session, we must remind our members that our greatest successes on State Circle have come through your heavy involvement and grass-roots efforts. When we ask for your help, we urge you not to delay!   Once the session begins in October, we will send regular information and updates. If we ask for your help, please give it. We also remind you that our job is to represent your interests, please contact MADA for any government issues your dealership may face. 

We thank the following dealerships who have contributed to the Association's Political Action Committee. To those dealers listed below, MADA offers a big "Thank You!" If your name is not on the list, MNCTDA/PAC Chairman, Stuart Brooks of Bob Bell Automotive Group urges you to get on board today! Your financial contribution allows us to support those Maryland legislators who have put our interests first and who have supported our industry in the past. We must have a presence in Annapolis, but unfortunately that costs money.

Please take the time today to write a corporate check payable to MNCTDA/PAC and send it to RSM McGladrey, 100 International Dr., Suite 1400, Baltimore, MD 21202. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Rutkowski at the Association office, 800.526.7423.   

GOVERNORS CLUB

Annapolis Volvo

BMW-Porsche of Towson

Bob Bell Automotive Group

Chevy Chase Automotive

Criswell Chevrolet

Fitzgerald Auto Malls

Jones Junction, Inc.

Ken Dixon Automotive

King Automotive Group

Sheehy Auto Stores

Shockley Honda

Thompson Automotive Group

Toyota /Scion of Waldorf

Williams Family Automotive

LT. GOVERNORS CLUB

Freightliner of Hagerstown

Sport Chevrolet/Honda

The Frederick Motor Company

SENATE CLUB

Adams Automotive, Inc.

Baltimore Freightliner - Western Star

Beltway International LLC

Boyle Buick GMC Truck

Capitol Cadillac

Honda of Annapolis

Plaza Ford, Inc.

R & H Motor Cars

Timonium Toyota

HOUSE CLUB

Academy Ford Sales

Baltimore Mack Trucks

Barr International, Inc.

Barrett Chevrolet, Inc.

Bayside Chevrolet, Inc.

East West Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

FSK Lincoln Mercury, Inc.

Hickory International, Inc.

K. Neal International Truck, Inc.

Norris Automotive

Tate Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Inc.

Tischer Acura Nissan

West End Service, Inc.

Wilkins Automotive

Win Kelly Automotive

OTHER

Crouse Ford Sales, Inc.

Damascus Motor Company

Team One 

Effective July 1, 2011, the FUTA tax rate was reduced by .2%. This drops the "net" rate for FUTA from .8% to .6% on the first $7,000 per employee per year. Exceptions do apply in Michigan, Indiana, and South Carolina.