By John Villavicencio for the Gold & Silver PAC ……
Gold & Silver News From the Political Coordinator
Update on Candidate Steve Bieda
Last month we reported that we were supporting Steve Bieda (D) in his race for Michigan State Senator. In the fast-moving world of politics, the only thing certain is change. Steve withdrew from the Michigan congressional race to answer his hometown call. He has chosen to become a candidate for the position of Macomb County Clerk. This is only the next step of Steve’s political career, and as a fellow numismatist who is destined for Washington D.C. in the near future, Steve needs and deserves our support!
For more on Steve’s campaign: www.stevebieda.net
Kansas Sales-Tax Exemption Update
In a roller-coaster of a legislative year, Kansas wins an award for “most dramatic”. Due to the inner workings of the Kansas legislature, our tax initiative was placed into a massive bill that included many other unrelated items. The Senate version passed in a session that went into the wee hours of the morning. However, the House version, needing 63 votes to pass, received a 59-59 vote with seven representatives not attending. Our language wasn’t controversial but ultimately it was defeated as part of the larger tax bill.
While ultimately not successful this session, the work done was exemplary in an uphill year. This bill was championed by State Senator Caryn Tyson and Representative John Eplee, and supported by Dean Schmidt, Jeremy Brakenhoff, Josh McCleary, Robert Dunlap, Robin Tummons, Rick Raines, the Johnson County Numismatic Society, Steve Neher, and ICTA. With the groundwork being laid this session, we look forward to the progress to be made next year!
ACTF Reconstitutes Two Work Groups, Adds World Mints
ICTA’s Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force (ACTF) has reconstituted two of its work groups and added a new group comprised of world Mints.
The Work Groups previously known as Law Enforcement Liaison and Education going forward will be Education-Law Enforcement and Numismatic-Public Education.
The Education-Law Enforcement Work Group will concentrate its efforts on developing curriculum, workshops, and seminars to assist in educating law enforcement professionals about counterfeit coins and paper money in the marketplace. Members of the group are Doug Davis, a former Texas police chief and founder of the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC); Joe Boche, a special agent with the Minnesota Department of Commerce; Steven F. Crogan, a retired legacy U.S. Customs Office of Investigations, DHS ICE Supervisory Special Agent; and Bill Daddio, retired chief of police at the U.S. Mint.
The Numismatic-Public Education Work Group will focus on developing educational materials and conduct workshops or seminars to educate dealers, collectors, and the public about counterfeit coins and paper money. Members of the workgroup include Michael Fuljenz, Robert Campbell, John Schuch II, and Jeff Garrett.
The World Mints Work Group includes representatives of the Royal Canadian Mint, the Austrian Mint, the Royal Australian Mint, the Perth Mint, and Rand Refinery, marketer of investment-grade South African Krugerrand gold bullion coins. The Work Group will address common problems, particularly counterfeiters who are targeting the bullion coin market.
For more on the ACTF, or to donate: icta.memberclicks.net/actf
* * *
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. “Letters to the Editor” are appreciated and may appear in a future newsletter.
John Villavicencio, Political Coordinator for the Gold & Silver PAC
Barry Stuppler, Chairman Gold & Silver Political Action Committee
