TOPICS

vlce precldent

1f, lnnCn contingent of Texans visIited Washington D.C. for the lfth annual Conference With Congress held by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association. We attended the legislative briefing and visited individual members of Congress to tell them what the economic conditions were like at home. Emphasis of the conference was the importance of balancing the budget and reducing the role of the Federal government in business and in the everyday lives of the American people.

Major legislative issues discussed included tax credits for the purchasers of new homes, a bill introduced by Congressman James Leach, (Ia.); the Lugar Plan introduced by Senator Richard Lugar (R-In.); continuation of home mortgage interest rate deductibility; a revitalized mortgage revenue bond program; reform of the 1978 Bankruptcy Reform Act; thrift industry assistance; and using pension funds as a source for mortgage funds.

Those attending included Joel Tigett, George Brewton, Daniel Guerra and Mrs. V.N. Hearns, Houston; Dean Leaman, Rosenberg; Leon Mellow, Ray Nunn, Dallas; Jim Lucas, HurstiJoe Butler, Sr. and Joe Butler, Jr., Austin.

The following decision, of interest to retailers, has been issued by the Comptroller. "Due to the presumption Of taxability, in order to avoid liability for the tax, the burden is on the seller to show that sales were sales for resale or otherwise exempt from tax. This burden can be met by taking a resale certificate.

Tex.-Gen. Ann. Art. 20.021 (Vernon 1969) However, the taking of a sales tax permit number is insufficient to prove that the sale was a sale for resale, and likewise, invoices alone are insufficient to prove that the sales to which they relate were sales for resale."

Also of interest are hearings by a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce,

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QUtvtUE'R Conference held jointly rPby the Louisiana Building Material Dealers Association and the Florida Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association is scheduled for JuneA-27 at the Seascape Resort and Conference Center, Destin, Fl.

This combination meeting will include individual board of directors meetings for both groups, a Florida convention meeting, and joint educational sessions in the conference center. Other activities including a western cookout and fishing tournament are scheduled to allow dealers to have an informal exchange of ideas and information.

Housing will be in condominiums with emphasis on including family members in the convention. A children's recreational program will be conducted by hotel employees. Bridge and other activities are being arranged for wives.

The LBMDA officers and I have conducted a series of eight district meetings in the last few weeks. Held in conjunction with the local association serving each particular area, the meeting agenda included a full explanation ofthe organizational structure covering local, state and national associations.

Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Monroe, Bayou, Mansura and New Orleans were included in the schedule.