2. The Longview Chamber Political Engagement “How to Apply Our Voice”
Political Strategy Subcommittee Report to the Longview Chamber Board
October 25, 2012

3. American Chamber of Commerce Executive’s active survey

7. Many seek access to decision makers
Current landscape
Other business organizations (TAB,
realtors, home builders, etc.)
Labor organizations
Trial bar
Top sources of influence
People
Money
Lobbyists
Grassroots
*Showalter Group study
Tools used to influence:
Lobbyists
Grassroots organizations
Political Action Committees

8. What’s Happening In Texas?
*source Texas for Public Justice

10. The Longview Chamber Political Engagement
Current Role:
Public Policy Statements
Legislative Trips to Austin/DC
Luncheons
Elected Officials Reception

11. Moving Forward: Candidate endorsement (NO PAC Needed)
Form a Political Action Committee
Pros:
Added advocacy tool
Seat at the table/setting the agenda
Building a culture of political action/grassroots involvement
Membership development tool
Cons:
Backing the losing candidate
Short-term loss of members
Staff time
Major funding raising
Separate organization

12. The Longview Chamber Political Engagement Principles

13. Proposed PAC structure Business Advocacy Council Political Involvement
Chamber
PAC
Board of Directors
PAC Board
Business Advocacy Council
Political Involvement

14. What Would Our Goals Look Like
Hire a full time person who focus’s on advocacy
Implement an aggressive Chamber Public Policy Agenda
Position Chamber with Local, State and Federal Policymakers

15. Why additional political engagement?
Struggling Economy Demands Pro-Business Policies
State Capitol Location
Empowers Chamber’s Political/Policy Role
Leverage Influence
Business Policy Opponents Play in Politics

16. Growing Our Political Engagement
Three Phases
Education
Candidate Endorsement
Political Contributions

17. Scorecard The Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 1: Education
Local, State and Federal Policy Makers
Longview Chamber Public Policy Agenda Issues
Notified a vote will count on Longview Chamber Scorecard
Scorecard Published & Distributed to Longview Chamber Members Prior to Election

18. Scorecard Pro’s Scorecard Con’s Elected Official Accountability
Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 1: Education
Scorecard Pro’s
Elected Official Accountability
Creates Leverage for Chamber
Member Service Especially for Small Business
Rewards Business Supporters
Scorecard Con’s
System Demands Consistent Policy
Fair Notice Required
No Perfect Scorecard
Challenge of Measuring Inaction

19. Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 2: Candidate Endorsement
Confidential Candidate Interview
Questions on Chamber Public Policy Agenda
Identify Candidates Who Support Business
Local (Gregg County and City of Longview), State and Federal Elections in Chamber Territory
Discretion Not to Endorse
Bi-Partisan Chamber Volunteers Recommend Slate of Endorsed Candidates Based upon Background and Interview

20. Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 2: Candidate Endorsement
Candidate Endorsement Pro’s
Public Stamp of Approval for Candidate
Elected Official Accountability
Creates Leverage for Chamber Issues
Member Service Especially for Small Business
Rewards Business Supporters
Candidate Endorsement
Con’s
Higher Risk than Scorecard
Potential for Chamber Member Alienation
Potential to Harm Relationships with Elected Officials

21. INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE
An independent expenditure, in elections in the United States, is a political campaign communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation, consultation or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a candidate, candidate’s authorized committee or a political party. If a candidate, his agent, his authorized committee, his party, or an "agent" for one of these groups becomes "materially involved", the expenditure is not independent

22. Unlimited Corporate Contributions No Coordination with Campaigns
Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option A: Independent Expenditure
Support Super PACS
Unlimited Corporate Contributions
No Coordination with Campaigns
Direct Election Advocacy
Issue/Candidate Support

23. Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option A: Independent Expenditure
Independent Expenditure Pro’s
Corporate Contributions
Larger Direct Advocacy Campaigns
Rapid Response
Elected Official Accountability
Creates Substantial Leverage for Chamber
Reward Business Supporters
Independent Expenditure Con’s
High Reward = High Risk
Chamber Spotlight as a Political Entity
Potential Member Alienation
High Administrative Costs

24. Personal Contributions
Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option B: Traditional Candidate PAC
Personal Contributions
Expenditures Directly to Candidates/Campaign Committees
Result of Endorsements or Role of Policy Maker

25. Traditional Candidate PAC Pro’s
Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option B: Traditional Candidate PAC
Traditional Candidate PAC Pro’s
Personal Candidate Connection
Creates Substantial Leverage for Chamber
Simplifies Chamber Staff Member Participation at Candidate Events
Simplifies Lobbying of Policy Makers Outside of Texas
Traditional Candidate PAC
Con’s
Personal Contribution Requirement limits Fundraising Ability
High Administrative Costs
Potential for Chamber Member Alienation
Potential to Harm Relationships with Elected Officials

26. Corporate Contributions Independent Expenditure Campaign
Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option C: Ballot Issue PAC
Corporate Contributions
Independent Expenditure Campaign
Issues Not Candidates

27. Longview Chamber Political Engagement Phase 3: Political Contributions Option C: Ballot Issue PAC
Ballot Issue PAC Pro’s
Business Support or Opposition for Tax Levy’s, Bond, Referendum, Initiative and Constitutional Amendment Campaigns
Tool to By-Pass Legislative Process
Least Controversial - Historical Precedence
Ballot Issue
PAC Con’s
No Role for Candidate Support
Administrative Costs
Other means to Accomplish Objective
Potential Chamber Member Alienation

28. A Start Not A Conclusion
Scorecard
2013
Phase I
Candidate Endorsement
2013/2014
Phase II
Political Contributions
TBD
Phase III

29. Next Steps for Discussion
Recommended Chamber Political Engagement Strategy
Longview Chamber Board Discussion & Approval
Planning for Approval of Phases

30. Political Engagement Subcommittee Conclusions
Task force appointed to pursue possible Implementation
Further Research

31. Q & A