3/22/01 - Five representatives from NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies joined other small business leaders in a meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House March 16. The meeting was a thank you to those in the small business sector who have worked for the Presidentís tax relief proposal. NPES is supporting the proposal through participation in the Tax Relief Coalition (TRC). Current Government Affairs Chairman Hank Brandtjen III, President of Brandtjen & Kluge; immediate past chairman Elinor Midlik, President of Prime UV Systems, and former committee chairmen Edward T. McLoughlin, President, Oxy-Dry Corporation, and J.M. Mike Murray, President/CEO of Brackett took part in the meeting, with Government Affairs Director Mark Nuzzaco. New Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, who noted the important role played by small businesses in the U.S. economy, introduced President Bush to the guests in the East Room meeting. Small Business Administrator nominee Hector Baretto also attended. The President spoke on the need for his $1.6 trillion tax cut in the context of budget priorities, including funding for education, defense, and health care. Adding that even with a 4 percent increase in discretionary spending, there is still money left over that should be given back to taxpayers, or not taken from them in the first place. Making his case for the benefits of his tax cut to small businesses in particular, President Bush referred to a statement released by the Treasury Department that same day reporting that at least 17.4 million small business owners and entrepreneurs currently pay tax as individuals at the top 39.6% rate. Drawing a standing ovation from the audience, the President also stressed the importance to small businesses of repealing the estate tax. The NPES executives attending the meeting all represent privately owned companies of 250 or fewer employees, and many other NPES members are small businesses.