Political Advocacy & Your Bottom Line: Political Advocacy & Your Bottom Line:

The Importance of ACEC/PAC to Your FirmThe Importance of ACEC/PAC to Your Firm

Supporting Your IndustrySupporting Your IndustryThe American Council of Engineering Companies Political Action Committee (ACEC/PAC) – is your national PAC, supporting your firm’s interests in Congress.

ACEC/PAC raised over $1.16 million for the current (2007- 2008) election cycle to support pro-business House and Senate candidates, putting ACEC in the top 3% of all PACs nationally!

ACEC/PAC = Legislative SuccessACEC/PAC = Legislative SuccessLegislative Success = Bottom Line BenefitsLegislative Success = Bottom Line Benefits

New 9% tax deduction for A/E firms.New 9% tax deduction for A/E firms.Eliminated “opt out” that allowed DOTs to cap Eliminated “opt out” that allowed DOTs to cap overhead and require multiple audits.overhead and require multiple audits.New student loan forgiveness program ($10,000 over New student loan forgiveness program ($10,000 over 5 years) to attract more young people to engineering.5 years) to attract more young people to engineering.Fair Labor Standards Act reforms to ease compliance Fair Labor Standards Act reforms to ease compliance and avoid costly lawsuits.and avoid costly lawsuits.Protected transportation funding levels authorized in Protected transportation funding levels authorized in SAFETEA LU from cuts.SAFETEA LU from cuts.New $24 billion Corps projects bill (WRDA).New $24 billion Corps projects bill (WRDA).New energy bill stimulating power/petroleum sector.New energy bill stimulating power/petroleum sector.Defeated major anti-outsourcing measures.Defeated major anti-outsourcing measures.

Priorities for 2009Priorities for 2009Secure timely passage of SAFETEA LU Secure timely passage of SAFETEA LU reauthorization bill.reauthorization bill.Repeal 3% withholding mandate.Repeal 3% withholding mandate.Pass major water and airports infrastructure Pass major water and airports infrastructure legislation that boosts funding, expands QBS. legislation that boosts funding, expands QBS. Promote cash accounting and other industry tax Promote cash accounting and other industry tax priorities; Tort Reform, including passage of a priorities; Tort Reform, including passage of a national Good Samaritan bill.national Good Samaritan bill.Funding and incentives to promote energy Funding and incentives to promote energy sector.sector.

How Does It Work?How Does It Work?ACEC/PAC may give up to $10,000 to federal candidates per election cycle.

ACEC/PAC is bipartisan -- issues determine financial support, not political party.

ACEC/PAC is governed by committee of PAC Champions.

Employees of ACEC member firms with a current prior approval form may contribute to ACEC/PAC

Individuals may contribute up to $5,000/year.

No corporate checks! Personal checks or credit cards only.

Corporate funds can be used to offset PAC fundraising costs. Ex: sponsoring golf tournaments or donating items for ACEC/PAC auctions.

ACEC Strategic Plan GoalACEC Strategic Plan Goal

“Grow ACEC/PAC to a $1 million-per-year PAC by 2010, while ‘capturing’ the

influence of our most politically active individual members.”

ACEC/PAC ACEC/PAC Needs Your Help Today!Needs Your Help Today!

Overall target for 2009 - $900,000STATE’s state goal = $XXXXState commitment is vital to achieving our industry goal.Help STATE cross the finish line!

ACEC/PAC Supports Candidates whose Positions ACEC/PAC Supports Candidates whose Positions

and Decisions Greatly Impact the A/E Industry.and Decisions Greatly Impact the A/E Industry.

Contributions to candidates are based on:Contributions to candidates are based on:

Their position on A/E issues;Their position on A/E issues;Committee assignments and leadership position;Committee assignments and leadership position;A candidate’s voting recordA candidate’s voting recordThe opinion of ACEC/PAC Committee members, The opinion of ACEC/PAC Committee members, executive directors, and PAC contributorsexecutive directors, and PAC contributors

93% of federal candidates supported by 93% of federal candidates supported by ACEC/PAC were elected to the 111ACEC/PAC were elected to the 111thth Congress. Congress.

ACEC/PAC Works for ACEC/PAC Works for STATESTATE

Supporting Your State’s Congressional Supporting Your State’s Congressional

DelegationDelegation Senators Senators Congressmen Congressmen

How We CompareHow We Compare2007-2008 Election Cycle2007-2008 Election Cycle

Millennium ClubMillennium ClubHow It WorksHow It Works

ACEC/PAC’s $1000/year donor club.

Members receive recognition at the Annual Convention and Fall Conference, complimentary invitations to events with congressional leaders, priority seating at Conference sessions, and photo opportunities with VIP speakers.

The Chairman’s ClubThe Chairman’s ClubHow It WorksHow It Works

Each member commits a MINIMUM of $2500 to support ACEC/PAC and ACEC events during the year.

$1000 of the commitment goes directly to ACEC/PAC.

The remaining balance of $1,500 remains “on call”, to be used to support ACEC-sponsored events in Washington and around the country.

Result – high profile engineering industry events with key policy makers, including the Speaker of the House, and House and Senate Majority Whips, greater influence in shaping national agenda.

Chairman’s Club members receive a seat on the PAC Trustees board, where key decisions involving PAC support are made, along with the benefits of Millennium Club membership.

The Capitol ClubThe Capitol ClubHow It WorksHow It Works

Each member commits the federal legal maximum of $5,000 to support ACEC/PAC during the calendar year.

Capitol Club members have complimentary access to all ACEC/PAC events throughout the year.

Capital Club members receive other benefits available Chairman’s Club and Millennium Club members.

The Perfect WorldThe Perfect World

A $1 million national PAC, plus…

Hundreds of Capitol Club, Chairman’s Club & Millennium Club members throughout the country, equals…

A formidable political program that will advance and protect industry interests and enhance your bottom line!

HELP US WIN!HELP US WIN!For more information, contact:For more information, contact:

Greg Knopp Greg Knopp Executive Director, Political AffairsExecutive Director, Political Affairs

gknopp@acec.orgOr Or

Elizabeth CoitElizabeth CoitACEC/PAC DirectorACEC/PAC Director

ecoit@acec.org(202) 347-7474(202) 347-7474

www.acec.org/advocacy/committees/pac.cfmwww.acec.org/advocacy/committees/pac.cfm