Cary, IL – June 25, 2024 - On June 13, 2024, a group from the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA), traveled to Washington DC to advocate for the association’s members and industry. With the help of AAMA’s advocacy team from DGA, they met with five congressional offices and three committees focused on small business.
The AAMA members who attended included AAMA Executive Vice President Pete Gustafson, Founder & CEO of TrainerTainment Beth Standlee, CEO of CleanBox Amy Hendricks, TouchTunes Sales Manager Chris Felix, and Betson Enterprise General Manager Nick Sarioglou. 
The group met with senior staff members from the offices of:
1. IL 8th District Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
2. IL 4th District Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
3. CO 2nd District Congressman Joe Neguse
4. TN Senator Bill Hagerty
5. IL Senator Richard Durbin
6. US House of Representative Committee for Small Business
7. US House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means
8. US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
During the meetings, members of AAMA shared the challenges they face running their businesses and asked for help in five areas of concern:
1. Support the Bipartisan Main Street Certainty Act that will provide the confidence millions of America’s small businesses need so they can invest in their employees, expand their businesses, and create jobs. It keeps small businesses on an even playing field with big corporations. HR 4721, S 1706
2. Support the Tax Cut and Jobs Act to make permanent reductions in individual and capital gains tax rates. The bill increases the standard tax deduction for individual taxpayers. It also increases and modifies the child tax credit and raises the contribution base of charitable tax deductions. HR 976, S 1226
3. Delay the Implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act. Most small businesses have no idea this rule even exists. We understand the intention of the rule - to thwart bad guys from being able to hide money in the US – but the collateral damage caused to small businesses should be taken into consideration before it is put into effect. HR 5119, S 3635
4. Support the Credit Card Competition Act. Credit card swipe fees are one of the biggest expense line items for many AAMA members. Opening credit card processing to competition will drive innovation and result in reductions in swipe fees. S 1838
5. Oppose the Department of Labor’s April 23, 2024, rules change to the overtime exemption threshold for managerial workers. We understand the need to pay our employees fairly – as small business owners, we must – the degree of responsibility to the success of a small business each employee carries is amplified “because” there are so few of them. However, the living wage in New York is quite a bit different than it is in North Dakota. This rule should consider the economic variables that exist across the country.
“This group did a tremendous job of advocating for our association and industry,” said AAMA EVP, Pete Gustafson. “They painted a very clear picture of who we are and what we do; that we’re representative of the 32 million small businesses in America, sharing the impact choices made by legislators in DC have on all of them.” While they were in DC, the group managed to mix in some fun. The team at DGA was able to get tickets to the Annual Congressional Charity Baseball Game held at Nationals Park. The fun in the stands more than made up for often cringe-worthy baseball being played on the field. While the Senators and Representative’s played with enthusiasm, they should not quit their day jobs….
About The AAMA
The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) is an international not-for-profit 501(c)6 trade organization representing the manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, professional service providers and location owner/operators for the coin-operated amusement industry. Our mission is to make the industry better through collaboration, education, advocacy and networking. We never stop playing!
