NEEDA - National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the optional standard mileage rate to be used with the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning January 1, 2006, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:

* 44.5 cents per mile for business miles driven
* 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
* 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, other than activities related to Hurricane Katrina relief

The new rate for business miles, while higher than the 40.5 cent per mile rate used for three-quarters of 2005, is lower than the 48.5 cent per mile rate used in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when fuel prices exceeded $3 a gallon. The medical mileage rate is also an increase over 2005s 15 cent per mile rate but is still lower than the post-Katrina rate of 22 cents per mile.

NEEDA previously reported that mileage rates were increased by the IRS when the gasoline prices soared immediately after the Katrina disaster.

NEEDA HOLDS DEALER MEETING AT FDIC APRIL 28, 2006
Originally Posted: December 30, 2005 3:42 PM
Last Updated: December 30, 2005 3:42 PM

Registration and housing information is now available for FDIC April 24-29, 2006, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The National Emergency Equipment Dealers Association (NEEDA) will hold a breakfast meeting for dealers Friday, April 28, 2006. For more information, phone Kenton Pattie, Executive Director at 703 280 4622.

MORE INFO ABOUT FDIC? www.fdic.com

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPEND?
Originally Posted: December 30, 2005 2:48 PM
Last Updated: December 30, 2005 2:48 PM

The federal government spent $2.2 trillion in 2004, up 5 percent from 2003.

By following Congressional authorizations and appropriations, NEEDA has pointed out in the past that Federal expenditures substantially trail the amount Congress has voted "Yes" to be spent. This was true in 2004. Some grant funds were spent two or three years after Congress had appropriated the money. Similarly, Congress approves multi-year projects in which funds are released during the building of a carrier or the construction of a facility. During wartime, such as the war in Iraq, Federal spending actually gets ahead of Congressional approvals in which case Congress passes emergency or supplemental appropriations to ensure the spending is approved.

Five states -- California, New York, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania -- received one-third of all federal funds in 2004. At the county or county-equivalent level, New York City, N.Y., led the list of recipients, followed by Los Angeles County, Calif.; Cook County, Ill.; San Diego County, Calif.; and Maricopa County, Ariz.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for more than $1 trillion, nearly one-half of total federal spending.

Defense Department spending was highest in the following five states: California, Virginia, Texas, Florida and Maryland.

Fiscal Year 2004 is the first full year for which data are included for the Department of Homeland Security.

The Consolidated Federal Funds Report data cover federal expenditures or obligations for direct payments, grants, procurement awards, and salaries and wages, by federal agency and program, for state and county areas of the United States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. outlying areas.