For the fourth year, the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC) brought a delegation of jewelers to Washington, D.C.

The group with met approximately 60 lawmakers and legislative staff, including House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), on June 18.

Sales tax fairness legislation dominated the conversation. Reed is a cosponsor of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which passed the Senate in 2013. The bill has stalled in the House, but a modified version is expected to be introduced this year.

“I think there’s a chance we can get it done,” Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), a supporter of the Marketplace Fairness Act, told the group.

Other topics of discussion included the protection of last-in, first-out accounting (LIFO) and the extension of the 15-year leasehold improvement depreciation as part of a retroactive tax extenders package.

“With the midterm elections approaching, this is a key moment for jewelers to be heard,” said Jewelers of America president and CEO David J. Bonaparte in a statement. “Jewelers of America is actively engaged with lawmakers regarding the needs of jewelers, and bringing our members to Capitol Hill for these face-to-face meetings with their representatives truly gets the message across.”

JCK