 |
| Former NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw addressed the CUNA GAC on Monday. Brokaw was one of several nationally-known speakers and political leaders who addressed the 4,200 credit union advocates attending the GAC. |
More than 80 credit union advocates met with their elected leaders on Wednesday, February 27. The day’s events offered a chance for credit union advocates to meet with the four newly-elected members of the US House of Representatives from NC. Credit unions also shared their chief legislative concerns with the NC Congressional delegation.
Credit unions had three central messages for NC Members of Congress, with taxation leading the way. "We spent time in each meeting sharing the value of the credit union charter and the return credit unions provide on the federal exemption from corporate income taxes," said Dan Schline, NCCUL SVP of Association Services. "Our message on taxation was well-received by the delegation, and our credit union advocates did a great job of sharing why maintaining the tax exemption is good public policy."
Credit unions also sent time sharing their concerns about the complex regulatory environment and the need for a more sensible approach to governance. The meetings also keyed on providing enhancements to the credit union charter, including increasing the Member Business Lending cap and providing Supplemental Capital.
For most of the credit union advocates in attendance, this was the first opportunity to meet with the four freshman members of the Congressional delegation from North Carolina: Congressmen George Holding, Richard Hudson, Robert Pittenger and Mark Meadows. The four Republicans swept into office in the November elections, and have hit the ground running in the newly-minted Congress.
"It's important to build and maintain relationships with elected leaders," Schline noted, "and we had a great opportunity to establish our grassroots strength with the new members of Congress during these meetings. I think credit unions will enjoy working with each of our new members of Congress in the years ahead."
To see a recap of the CUNA GAC in pictures, please click here.