2011 will be remembered for the prolonged Interchange battle in Washington, as well as the passage of the Prize-Linked Savings bill here in NC. While the coming year is not likely to be as hectic on the legislative front, NCCUL’s Dan Schline says there are still many opportunities for credit unions to shape the political process in 2012.
Schline shared a recap of 2011 and offered a preview of 2012 at the NW Chapter meeting in Winston-Salem Monday, January 9th. “We have an election year coming up and legislation usually has a harder time passing on the state and federal level,” noted Schline.
However, Schline said the opportunity for legislative progress on the federal level is possible in the upcoming year. “Credit unions have been working hard on member business lending and supplemental capital, and those two issues will be on the front burner again this year. Hopefully we can work towards a breakthrough on one or both of these issues.”
Schline, who is the SVP of Association Services, added that there were other unique opportunities for credit unions to participate in the year ahead, including the Democratic National Convention meeting in Charlotte in August. Schline noted that the newly-drawn Congressional Districts in NC would also be opportunities for credit unions to take an active role in the political process in the year ahead.
On the state level, the General Assembly convenes its short session beginning in May. While credit union legislation is not likely to be on the forefront for state lawmakers, the League would continually monitor events in Raleigh. “Of course we’ll also have State Capital Connections coming up in the late spring, and we encourage credit unions to head to Raleigh and participate.”