During the Automotive Service Association’s recent Annual Convention in Santa Clara, Calif., participants focused on increasing participation in the political process. The topics discussed were timely, what with 2008 being an election cycle and a presidential election year. ASA leaders from around the country discussed state and federal issues during the conference.

ASA highlighted three key areas for political activity today:

• Political Education
• Technology
• Money

ASA assists state affiliates and leaders with contacting independent repairers, media and consumers about important state and federal issues. Direct mail, faxes and electronic communications are all used for advocacy at the state and federal levels. This includes legislative and regulatory issues.

ASA volunteer leaders are critical, particularly in states that do not have lobbyists. ASA works with leaders around the country to develop strategy for specific legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Technology has become increasingly important for advocacy at both the state and federal levels. In addition to policymakers communicating through their personal Web sites, advocacy groups use their Web sites to provide letters of support or opposition for various issues.

ASA provides its legislative site, www.TakingTheHill.com, for repairers and consumers to communicate to state and federal policymakers. This site is open for members and nonmembers. Repairers can track important legislation in their states and at the federal level.

Issues prioritized by ASA’s board of directors are highlighted on the site and at times, accompanied by advocacy letters.

Many of the top ASA issues have historical information and documents on the site. These are helpful to repairers as they develop strategies in their states on similar issues. The media also puts this piece to use quite often.

With the increased costs of political campaigns, political contributions are receiving greater attention. The top political action committee (PAC) contributions for the 2006 election cycle included the following:

• Realtors PAC  $3.7 million
• Beer Wholesalers  $2.9 million
• Homebuilders  $2.9 million
• New Car Dealers $2.8 million
           
ASA has a new political action committee. Information about the ASA PAC and how to contribute can be found online at www.TakingTheHill.com.
           
ASA tracks legislation, serves as an industry advocate and coordinates grassroots and grasstops strategy at the federal and state levels.
           
On many occasions, members ask, “How can I become active at the state legislative level?” Some ways to get involved legislatively are:

• Choose the right issue
• Prepare in advance
• Build a coalition
• Educate policymakers
• Activate grassroots/grasstops
           
ASA’s board of directors established a Government Affairs Committee to assist in developing state and national legislative objectives on an annual basis. ASA’s board reviews those objectives at its fall board meeting each year. Members of the Government Affairs Committee are as follows:

• Ron Nagy, chairman
• Eddie Ehlert
• Charlie Elder
• Bob Wills
• Dan Stander
           
The committee’s contact information can be found on the ASA Web site, www.ASAshop.org.
           
Various ASA meetings provide opportunities for members to share legislative and regulatory experiences in their states. ASA also provides issue-specific panel discussions and presentations to assist members in developing policy initiatives when they return home.
           
ASA members are encouraged to contact Government Affairs Committee members or ASA directly via the Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com, or call (800) ASA-SHOP to learn more about participating in the legislative process.

Bob Redding is the Automotive Service Association's Washington, D.C., representative. He is a member of several federal and state advisory committees involved in the automotive industry. For more information about the legislative activities of ASA, visit www.TakingTheHill.com.