Member PAC Contribution Unanimously Approved By Members
At WPPA Convention
By James L. Palmer, II – WPPA Legislative Lobbyist
For those of you who closely follow the WPPA’s efforts with respect to political and legislative affairs, you know that the last year has been busy. During this time, the WPPA has established a public affairs platform and a detailed legislative report card, as well as numerous other internal measures designed to improve our effectiveness at the State Capitol in Madison. Wisconsin lawmakers are asking for the WPPA’s input on legislation much more frequently than in the past, and we have had many opportunities to improve legislation that might have otherwise detrimentally affected our membership. Our elected officials are also much more interested in knowing the WPPA’s issues, and how those issues can be advanced in order to support Wisconsin’s law enforcement community.
One of the few complaints I personally hear from time to time is that, as an organization, the WPPA hasn’t been as successful in the legislature as, for example, the state fire fighters union. It is no secret that the fire fighters organization’s strength lies in its ability to contribute to political campaigns. Consider the following charts which demonstrate how the WPPA relates to its labor organization peer groups during the last two election cycles.
VARIOUS LABOR PAC CONTRIBUTIONS 2003-04
| PAC | Contribution |
| WI Education Assn. Council | $61,139.00 |
| WI Laborers District Council | $41,300.00 |
| Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 75 | $20,673.77 |
| Milwaukee Police Assn. | $19,500.00 |
| WI Truck Operators | $18,700.00 |
| Professional Firefighters of WI | $17,100.00 |
| State Employees | $15,850.00 |
| WI Federation of Teachers | $14,950.00 |
| SEIU Wisconsin | $10,500.00 |
| SEIU Local 150 | $10,000.00 |
| United Auto Workers Wisconsin | $10,000.00 |
| Northern WI Council of Carpenters | $9,450.00 |
| Sprinkler Fitters Local 183 | $8,500.00 |
| Steamfitters Local 183 | $8,500.00 |
| WI Teamsters Joint Council 39 | $8,500.00 |
| WI Pipe Trades | $7,150.00 |
| WI Professional Police Assn. | $2,450.00 |
VARIOUS LABOR PAC CONTRIBUTIONS 2001-02
| PAC | Contribution |
| WI Education Assn. Council | $156,000.00 |
| WI Laborers District Council | $90,200.00 |
| SEIU WI | $81,067.00 |
| United Auto Workers WI | $68,000.00 |
| Operating Engineers | $66,678.00 |
| Professional Firefighters of WI | $48,200.00 |
| WI Teamsters Joint Council | $34,750.00 |
| SEIU Local 1 | $30,000.00 |
| Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 75 | $27,665.00 |
| Milwaukee Police Assn. | $27,400.00 |
| American Federation of Teachers | $25,100.00 |
| WI Pipe Trades | $18,750.00 |
| WI Professional Police Assn. | $15,500.00 |
| Steamfitters Local 601 | $15,400.00 |
| Northern WI Carpenters Council | $14,600.00 |
| Iron Workers Local 8 | $14,500.00 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | $13,649.99 |
| Service Employees Local 150 | $13,000.00 |
| Sprinkler Fitters Local 183 | $9,900.00 |
| Current Balance of WPPA PAC | $9,334.42 |
The WPPA members attending the recent convention concluded that, for a relatively small monthly amount per member, the WPPA can significantly enhance its presence in campaign politics. The benefits of doing so include improved name recognition amongst the general public and non-WPPA law enforcement officers, and would garner the attention of the legislature and the public relative to the organization’s legislative agenda.
After extensive consideration of the matter, the political action committee, the legislative committee, the board of directors, and the general membership in attendance at the convention all unanimously decided to take the WPPA to the next level in terms of improving our effectiveness in the state legislature. A 75 cent monthly contribution per member was approved for the WPPA political action fund. Beginning in October of this year, this contribution will be collected with WPPA member dues. The money collected will not be used for any operational purposes, will be deposited into the segregated political action account, and will be distributed at the discretion of the political action committee. The political action committee will use the funds to support candidates who support the mission and goals of the WPPA membership. Any member who does not wish to contribute money to the WPPA political action fund can request their contribution back at the end of the year.
Having the ability and resources to become more involved in campaign politics does not now mean that the WPPA will get everything it wants in terms of legislation. Like a platform and a legislative report card, the ability to contribute money to political campaigns is a tool. Only through an effective use of those tools will we be able to advance our agenda.
Nonetheless, this measure is necessary if the WPPA as an organization truly desires to effectively represent its membership in legislative affairs. We must be able to impact campaigns for elected office and support individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to the WPPA’s ideals.
As always, anyone with questions or comments regarding this, or any other issue, is encouraged to contact me. Your feedback is important, and helps shape the direction taken by the WPPA’s public affairs program. As members continue to take a more prominent role in our activities, the WPPA can make certain that the progressive tradition it began in 1932 endures for many years to come.
Keep in touch, and have a safe summer.
