a backstage pass to capitol hill

A Backstage Pass to Capitol Hill

“I'm sorry that we have to have a Washington presence. We thrived during our first 16 years without any of this. I never made a political visit to Washington and we had no people here. It wasn't on our radar screen. We were just making great software.”Bill Gates, Creator of Microsoft

“If you’re not at the legislativetable…you’re on the menu.”Dan Mica, former President/CEO CUNA

Keys to Being a VIP?

Understanding Lawmakers & Candidates

Relationship Building

The Mind of the Elected Official or Candidate

• Want to make a difference / sense of publicservice• Votes!

• $ grows votes• Grassroots support grows voter turnout• Do you have primary attention or goodgovernment?

Relationship Key to Success

What kind of relationship do you have? I Love you! (In your corner)I like you…you support me. (Supportive)…and risk their wrath? No way! (Fear) No love / no fear (Irrelevant)

1st Leg of Stool…Credit Union PACsNCULPAC Other League PACs

CULAC

Federal Candidates

Credit Union PACs Key to Backstage Pass$ = Opportunity and Influence$ = Strong & Viable PACs$ = Demonstrates industry strength & support$ = Bigger the PAC…Bigger the splash

T T

Political Fundraisers

Candidates & Political Parties

Early and often

PAC and personal

Always talk about credit unions

Political Giving

• In 2009-2010 Elections, Members of Congress spent an average of $1.6 million

• Incumbent Senators spent an average of $9.1 million

• Costs continue to skyrocket: over $ 2 billion was spent on the 2010 Congressional Elections

Source: www.opensecrets.org

How Does CULAC Compare?

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CULAC

Bank of America

Amer. Bankers Assoc.

CitiGroup

ICBA

JP Morgan ChaseNAFCU

Wells Fargo

Contributions to Federal Candidates2009-10 Election Cycle

Source: www.opensecrets.org

How Does CULAC Compare?

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CULAC All Other CUPACs

All Bank PACs

Contributions to Federal Candidates 2007-08

$2.3 million

$9 million

$0.52 million

Source: www.opensecrets.org

Why Should I Contribute?

• You Believe in and Care About the Future of Credit Unions

• Credit Unions are effected by Washington– Taxation– Over Regulation– Legislative solutions to industry challenges

• Banks want to eliminate credit unions and provide great pressure on Capitol Hill

• Not only do you believe in your credit union, it provides you with a job

How Much?

All contributions are welcomed and appreciated!!!

Recommend:Executives: $250+Directors: $100+Management: $100+All staff: $25+

How Can I Contribute?

• Payroll Deduction

• Small Increments

• All Staff Can Give

Nebraska Cap Club Stats

• In 2011 – NE CU’s raised $16,495 • In 2011 – CULAC raised $1.9 M• In 2009-10 Election Cycle CULAC raised $3.5M• Eleven (11) credit unions offer Payroll Deduction

– Average contribution via Payroll Deduction is $75– Average contribution via lump sum is $36

Where Does $ Go?

• Contributions to NCULPAC/CULAC go directly to political campaigns and/or to political activities.– CULAC disbursed $2.8M to federal candidates ‘10

• CU’s are non-partisan in that we contribute to both sides of the aisle. – 56% to Democrats / 44% to Republicans in ‘10

• Political contributions help to provide clout and a seat at the legislative table.

• Support our friends…oppose our foes.

2012 Election

• 3 Nebraska Congressional seats – 1st Congressional District: Jeff Fortenberry– 2nd Congressional District: Lee Terry– 3rd Congressional District: Adrian Smith

• Nebraska’s U.S. Senate Seat• Presidential Election (CU PACs don’t traditionally get involved)

How Does CU PACs Get Involved?

• Direct contributions to candidates• Independent expenditures

– Mailings, direct voter contacts, television, radio ads

– No coordination with candidate or their campaign

• Partisan communications– Mailings and direct member contacts.– Coordinate with candidate and their campaign

2nd Leg of Stool…Political Action

Campaign ActivitiesCampaign CommitteeDoor to DoorEarly Voter DrivesParadesMail DropsPhone Banks72 Hour Activities – Get Out the Vote (GOTV)

Political Action Cont…

Grassroots ActivationActively support your candidateNewsletter ArticlesPartisan CommunicationsIndependent ExpendituresSignageHosting a phone bank / mail drop

Political Action Cont…

Strong Political Organizations ($ + Votes)• Labor Unions• Realtors• Teachers• Chambers of Commerce• Financial Services • Trial Attorneys

Political Action Cont…

Strong Political Organizations (Votes)• Pro-Life• Pro-Choice• NRA• NAACP• AARP• Religious Organizations (ie: Catholic Church)• Tea Party

3rd Leg of Stool…Legislative Advocacy

“Begin with the end in mind.”Dr. Stephen R. Covey

Legislative Advocacy Cont…

Laying the GroundworkFrequent contact with lawmaker At home, in DC, town hall mtgs., interest group events

Frequent contact with staff membersStaff are key to access & informationStaff turnover

CU Advocacy Events

CU Advocacy Tools

Legislative Advocacy Cont…

Be a source of good informationBe vigilant while also being respectfulLet them know what you want and follow upUtilize your grassroots strength to garnersupportUtilize media to reach lawmakers, voters,

publicInvite lawmakers & candidates to cu events

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

ContributionsDisbursements

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Organization AOrganization B

Amount Raised in PACs

2012 Elections

U.S. Senate RaceDeb Fischer (R) v. Bob Kerrey (D)

Primary Election ResultsDeb Fischer 41%, Jon Bruning 36%

Elections cont…State Legislature (26 races with 9 open seats)

District 1: Watermeier v. Joy District 2: Lambert v. Kitner District 9: Howard v. Fish

District 11: Chambers v. Council District 19: Scheer v. Goodspasture

District 21: Haar v. Hilgers District 23: Johnson v. Barrett

District 29: Bolz v. Zimmerman District 31: Kowoloski v. Turco

District 33: Seiler v. Hughes District 43: Ravenscroft v. Davis

District 45: Carter v. Crawford District 49: Murante v. Wellenstein

Brandon M. LuetkenhausGovernmental & Public Affairs Director

Nebraska Credit Union League brandon@nebrcul.org402-333-9331 ext. 202