Political Action Committee (PAC)
NEW! – You can now contribute online using our secure web site at: https://secure.westrk.org/
To all members:
On 4-5-17 we printed and mailed out about 1,000 PAC solicitation letters to our regular members and affiliates. I want to thank the PAC members and our staff…Rich and Lorraine for helping make this all happen. This was a very unique mailing for us as we wanted to keep the letter one page and make it appeal to both member companies and owner-operator motor carriers. We wanted to provide the member donor with ease of use by having the donation form on the back of the letter. Members can choose to fill it out and cut it or fold it and mail it back to us in a addressed, pre-paid postage envelope. This is the first time that we have ever used Business Reply Mail and had to get an account number and graphic with the USPS which took about a week. The initial fee was $230 and we only pay for the envelops mailed back to us. You will also note that in both the letter and PAC form we reference payment via the internet PAC.
Here is a sample of what the letter looks like:
The Western States Trucking Association (WSTA) Establishes a Political Action Committee (PAC)
On June 23rd of 2002, WSTA’s board voted to establish, initially fund and solicit the membership to additionally fund the WSTA-PAC. In late May of 2002, WSTA hired the lobbying firm, The Wilson Group and Brooks Ellison (thewilsongroup.com).
On July 31, we filed the FPPC Form 410 with the Secretary of State, or Statement of Organization Recipient Committee. WSTA funded the initial $5000 sponsor fees. The Association has already received verbal commitments from at least three companies for another $5000. It’s a pretty good start, but our PAC still need’s everyone’s continued support.
What Is a Political Action Committee (PAC)
A (PAC) is a bipartisan political action committee or (PAC) that receives contributions from businesses and members. A PAC distributes the contributions to incumbent members of the California Legislature who actively protect and promote the interests of the business community and are running for re-election. A PAC is developed so that small businesses with similar interests can pool their resources in order to make the same impact as larger PACs, but without contributing large amounts of money. Members of the association’s board of directors and executive committee chair the PAC board and decide how and to whom funds are distributed.
A PAC raises funds in an election cycle. The annual budget maybe based on:
- Position and political power (leadership positions on average receiving larger contributions);
- Committee assignment; and
- Past and continuing support of the WSTA and the business community, specifically commercial transportation and construction agenda.
The decision to support a candidate is unbiased, and the amount of money granted to a candidate is not associated with the way a lawmaker votes on specific legislation.
Why Contribute to PAC?
To use your power to elect pro-business candidates to the legislature! Contributions to PAC’s are used to elect men and women to the California Legislature who support policies fostering economic growth and safety. PROPOSITION 34 now allows businesses of all sizes to pool their power and gives clout to business owners who want to participate in the electoral process. Contributions, no matter what the amount, go a long way in ensuring that the voice of transportation business continues to be strong in California’s Capitol.
How do you contribute? It’s easy!
Simply contact
Fred ReCupido, at 909-849-1002.
(PAC Chairman)
Lee Brown, at 909-982-9898.
Send check to WSTA Main office
Please make check payable to “WSTA PAC Fund”
Western States Trucking Association
334 N. Euclid Avenue
Upland, CA 91786-6031
NEW! – You can now contribute online using our secure web site at:
https://secure.westrk.org/publicsite/PACContributions.aspx
FEC – CAMPAIGN GUIDE FOR CORPORATIONS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
http://www.fec.gov/pdf/colagui.pdf
What are the limits to contributing to the PAC?
INCREASED STATE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
The political Reform Act provides that the California contribution limits be adjusted every two years to correspond with inflation. On December 9, 2004, the Fair Political Practices Commission approved the following increased limits for the 2005-2006 cycle. The new limits take effect on January 1, 2005.
Per Election Limits on Contributions to State Candidates
| Contributor | Legislative | Statewide (Other than Gov.) & Board of Equalization |
Governor |
| Person/PAC | $3,300 | $5,600 | $22,300 |
| Small Contributor Committee | $6,700 | $11,100 | $22,300 |
| Political Party | No Limit | No Limit | No Limit |
Calendar Year Limits on Contributions to Other Committees
| Contributor | Committee that Contributes to State Candidates | Political Party for State Candidate Support | Committee/Political Party Not for State Candidate Support |
| Person/PAC | $5,600 | $27,900 | No Limit |
Please note that the $200 limit on contributions to small contributor committees remains the same. If you have any questions on the new limits, please call our office.
