Posted on 13th Apr 2012 @ 10:55 AM

The Jewelers of America's Political Action Committee (JAPAC) is planning visits to Washington, D.C., and has updated its online platform and fundraising efforts in preparation for the 2012 elections in November. JAPAC is the only PAC that supports the fine retail jewelry industry in Washington, D.C.

In June, JAPAC's board members and Jewelers of America's (JA) leaders will head back to the nation's capital for another round of meetings on Capitol Hill. During their "fly-in," JAPAC board members will meet with a number of legislators, including members of Congressional committees with jurisdiction over issues of importance to the jewelry industry, such as the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. This is the second annual trip JAPAC is making to D.C. Once again, they will ask representatives to stand up for jewelers on issues like sales tax fairness and protection of LIFO -- the last-in, first-out accounting method.

"Lawmakers have the power to either help or hurt jewelers' businesses with the decisions they make. That's why jewelers need to be at the table, telling their stories and influencing those decisions," said JA's president, Matthew A. Runci. "Meeting with legislators in person, so they can hear directly from their constituents in the jewelry industry, is one of the most effective ways we have to get our messages across."

The trip is the centerpiece of JAPAC's efforts to give jewelers a voice on key issues. The fundraising strategy also includes the participation of the JAPAC board, whose members are charged with generating support for the PAC. JAPAC also has an online platform at JA's website, www.jewelers.org, which was recently updated to enable JA members to contribute to the PAC online.