Recyclers News Press
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OurAssociationNeedsYourHelp!
Political ActionCommittee (PAC)
A political action committee (PAC) is an organization
that campaigns for political candidates or legislation.
Themission of the IowaAutoRecyclersPAC is to
educate lawmakers on the important issues con-
fronted by professional automotive recyclers.
HowdoesaPACwork for you?
IAR is just oneof
many groups vying for the attention of lawmakersand
candidates. In recent years, IARhasmadegreat pro-
gress in reaching out to the Iowa Legislatureby edu-
cating themon the auto recycling industry.
Theassociation follows a strategic plan that concen-
trates on those lawmakerswho aremembers of the
important transportationand business committees.
A key element of thoseactivities is supported by
the IARPAC. In conjunctionwith our lobbying and
grass-roots efforts, the IARPAC raises the visibility
of recyclers' views, interests and concerns among
influential lawmakers.With increased visibility, IAR
has agreater opportunity toeducate lawmakers on
issues important to auto recyclers and agreater op-
portunity to impact what happens at the statehouse.
HowdopoliticiansusePACmoney?
Politicians rely onmoney contributed by individuals
andPACs for campaign funds. PAC contributions are
used topay for campaign staff, commercials, signs,
handouts, etc. Campaignmoney is heavily regulated
by the IowaEthicsCampaign andDisclosureBoard.
The importanceof astrongPAC
Every year, special interest groups contributemillions
of dollars fromPACs topoliticians and political par-
ties. In fact, when it comes topolitics, thegreatest
advantage that insurance corporations have hadover
small-business recyclers is theamount of money
they contribute to political campaigns. They arewell-
funded andhave agendas that are often counter to
the interests of IARmembers.
It is important that our PAChave the resources avail-
able to help counter themessageof thoseother
groups. By combining the individual contributions of
IARmembers in thePAC, theassociation is able to
create increasedawareness of our concerns anden-
sure that theyget the attention they deserve.
By federal law, aPAC is not allowed to accept funding
from a trade association. ThePACmust raise its
funds separately frommembers. Onehundredper-
cent of contributions godirectly to candidates' cam-
paigns to promote the visibility of our issues.
Contributions to thePACare completely volun-
tary. Members are free to contribute any amount or
no amount without reprisal. IARPACusesmember
donations tohelp elect individualswhowill under-
stand and support IAR'sgoals.
