President’s Letter – August 16, 2011:
“Turning Up the Volume” of the Toy Industry’s
Legislative Voice
August 16, 2011 | This week we celebrate
the successful conclusion of a three-year effort to fix the unintended
consequences to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
(CPSIA). Yet this significant legislative accomplishment only
serves as a vivid reminder that the challenges of other harmful
legislation – including hundreds of state bills that could have
resulted in a crazy quilt of inconsistent, onerous and unnecessary
regulations for the toy industry – continue at an unparalleled
pace.
To avoid this onslaught of unwarranted and damaging regulations, the
toy industry needs every available tool in its advocacy arsenal.
At the top of our priority list is strengthened relationships with the
legislators in Washington, DC and in state capitals across the nation
whose decisions are affecting our industry.
A robust Political Action Committee (PAC) opens the doors that allow
an industry’s voice to be heard in the legislative corridors of
Washington, DC and state houses across the nation. A strong PAC is
one of the most important components of an effective industry advocacy
program.
Last year, TIA created the toy industry’s first-ever PAC
(“TOYPAC”) to consolidate and direct financial
support from individuals in our community to key policymakers. TOYPAC
financially assists candidates who demonstrate a realistic approach to
solving the problems faced by the industry and its member
companies. A contribution from TOYPAC speaks for our industry and
gives more “bang for the buck” than individual donations as
they deliver a clear message of who the toy industry is as a group and
what perspectives we need candidates to hear. Elected officials
seldom overlook a large, well-informed constituency.
TOYPAC’s launch was modest with initial funding provided primarily
through the personal contributions of TIA’s Board of Directors and
senior staff … but TOYPAC’s existence has already helped to
amplify our industry’s legislative voice and raise our level of
awareness among key contacts.
In preparation for the 2012 election year, an
industry–wide effort to increase funding for TOYPAC is now
underway.
As a member of the toy industry, I urge you to do your part.
There is strength in numbers and the more people from our membership
that get involved the greater our impact. However, only voluntary,
individual personal contributions to the PAC are
allowed, and such contributions are not tax deductible.
Contributions from your business funds cannot be accepted by TOYPAC and
TIA funds cannot be used for contributions.
I encourage you to show your commitment to our efforts. Take the
first step by downloading and signing the “Prior Approval"
form and returning it to TIA’s Peter
Sandel (646.454.5580).*
Questions, comments, or requests for details about TOYPAC’s
past or future activities, can be directed to me (646.520.4841) or
TIA’s EVP for External Affairs, Ed
Desmond (202.344.4387). Additional information is also
available on the TOYPAC and TOYPAC
FAQ pages of the TIA website.
Help TIA effectively advocate for your interests. Join TOYPAC.
Make a difference.
Warm regards to all,
Carter Keithley
ckeithley@toyassociation.org
*If submitting a hard copy of the completed prior
approval form, please mail to: Attn: Peter Sandel at the Toy Industry
Association,1115 Broadway Suite 400, New York, NY 10010.
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