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GBTA 2012 Government Relations Agenda. GBTA Represents the Collective Voice of the Business Travel Industry in Washington, D.C . . Policy, Tax and Funding Decisions Made by Congress and the Administration Impact the Success of the Industry
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GBTA Represents the Collective Voice of the Business Travel Industry in Washington, D.C. • Policy, Tax and Funding Decisions Made by Congress and the Administration Impact the Success of the Industry • Educating Members of Congress About the Industry and How It Drives the Economy and Jobs is Essential • If GBTA Does Not Represent Our Interests, Others WILL Shape the Decisions and We May Not Like the Results • GBTA Member Support Is Key! GBTA IS OUR ADVOCATE
GBTA 2012 Legislative Priorities • Safe, Fast and Secure Passenger Screening • Expand/Fund TSA PreCheck and CBP Global Entry • Fair Taxes and Fees • No Fee Increases or New Fees • Stop Discriminatory State and Local Travel Taxes • Efficient and Accessible Travel Infrastructure • Accelerate NextGen – Reduce Flight Delays • Expand Visa Waiver Program/Improve Visa Processing
GBTA Influencing the Debate • Testified on Discriminatory Rental Car Taxes at House Judiciary Committee Hearing (January 2012) • Met with Key Congressional Staff to Support A Long-term FAA Reauthorization Bill, Including Accelerating NextGen (January 2012) • Supporting Pending Bills to Stop Local Car Rental Taxes and Expand the Visa Waiver Program (Ongoing) • Supporting Expansion and Sufficient Funding For TSA PreCheck, CBP Global Entry and Nextgen (Ongoing) • Supporting National Travel and Tourism Policy That Recognizes Importance of Pro Business Travel Policies (February 2012) • Met With Key Airport Directors About Business Travel Priorities and Airport Issues (February 2012) • Joined Coalition Letters Opposing EU Emissions Trading Scheme (January/February 2012)
GBTA and Business Travel IndustryWINS • FAA Reauthorization • Long-term, Stable Funding for Safety Programs • Acceleration of NextGen Implementation • Additional Passenger Protections • No PFC Increase • Expansion of TSA PreCheck • At Least 28 Additional Airports in 2012 • Expansion of CBP Global Entry • At Least 12 Additional Airports in 2012 • Pilot Program Made Permanent • No Security Fee Increase/No New Departure Fee • Visa Improvements • Executive Order Expediting Application Process/Adding VWP Countries
Business Travel Industry:Potential 2012 Risks • Aviation Security Fee Increase/New Departure Fee • Insufficient Funding for TSA PreCheck and CBP Global Entry • Curtailment of Government Travel/Meetings • Erosion of Business Travel/Meetings Deduction • Delay in NextGen Implementation • Increased State/Local Rental Car and Hotel Taxes • More International Emissions Taxes • And, Of Course, Economic Woes…
GBTA Supports • Expanding to Additional Airports, Airlines and Other Known Frequent Traveler Pools • H.R. 2469, the End Discriminatory State Taxes on Renters • H.R. 3855 & S. 2046 Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act • ACTION for GBTA MEMBERS: • Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor H.R. 2469, H.R. 3855 • Ask Your Senator to Co-Sponsor S. 2046 • Encourage Airlines, TSA and Airports to Expand • Advise GBTA as to Lengthy Wait Times at Checkpoints
2012 Legislative Symposium June 18-20 Washington, DC http://www.gbta.org/Legislative/Pages/default.aspx June 18 – Evening Reception June 19 – Education Day June 20 – Capitol Hill Visits
GBTA Government Relations Resources • GBTA Washington Update • Read the NEW e-newsletter in the Daily News Brief with the Latest on GBTA Efforts in Washington, Politics and Congress • Updated Government Relations Website • 2012 Government Relations Agenda • Expanded Issue Briefs • Legislative Action Center • Government Relations Group on the GBTA Hub • Join Your Colleagues for Discussions and Information • GBTA Government Relations Department • Patty Higginbotham or Shane Downey • GR@gbta.org or (703) 684-0836
6th Chapter Challenge is ON! The Voice of the Travel Industry in Washington, DC and Congressional Districts Let Your Voice Be Heard GBTA is Challenging Its 40 Chapters to Engage Their Elected Officials on Business Travel Issues
2011 Chapter Challenge Partners • Arizona BTA • Austin (TX) BTA • Central & North Florida BTA • Chicago BTA • Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) BTA • Georgia BTA • Michigan BTA • North Central (MN) BTA • North Carolina BTA • New England BTA • Ohio Valley BTA • Pittsburgh BTA • Rocky Mountain BTA • Texas (Houston) BTA • St. Louis BTA • Silicon Valley BTA • Utah BTA • Virginia BTA • Wisconsin BTA
Chapters Completing 4 Tasks = PARTNERS 30% of Membership Send a Communication to an Elected Official Through the Legislative Action Center Invite an Elected Official to Speak at a Chapter Meeting or Host a GBTA Government Relations Focused Meeting Send a Letter to Its Representative or Senator Endorsing a GBTA Endorsed Bill or Vote Raise $1,000 in PAC Contributions Regardless of Chapter Size (Must Have 30% of Members Contribute) Additional information: Shane Downey, sdowney@gbta.org, 703/236-1131
Chapter Scholarship Opportunity • June 1, 2012: Entry Deadline • All Chapters that Meet Chapter Challenge Task #2 will be Eligible for a Scholarship to Attend the 2012 Legislative Symposium • Invite an Elected Official to Speak at a Chapter Meeting or Host a GBTA Government Relations Focused Meeting • June 2, 2012: GBTA Staff Will Conduct the Drawing • The Prize? • A $500.00 Cash Scholarship Awarded to Two Chapters for Use in Attending the 2012 Legislative Symposium on June 19-20, in Washington, D.C.
Chapter Scholarship Opportunity • June 1, 2012: Entry Deadline • All Chapters that Meet Chapter Challenge Task #2 will be Eligible for a Scholarship to Attend the 2012 Legislative Symposium • Invite an Elected Official to Speak at a Chapter Meeting or Host a GBTA Government Relations Focused Meeting • June 2, 2012: GBTA Staff Will Conduct the Drawing • The Prize? • A $500.00 Cash Scholarship Awarded to Two Chapters for Use in Attending the 2012 Legislative Symposium on June 19-20, in Washington, D.C. More Information Contact Shane Downey (703) 236-1131 or sdowney@gbta.org
NBTAPAC…Only PAC that Represents the Business Travel Industry Who Protects Your Interests? Congress Has Lots of Lawyers (208) and Even an Almond Orchard Owner, but NO Travel Professionals What is the NBTAPAC? Fund that Combines Your Support with Thousands of Your Colleagues to Make Contributions to Key Leaders and Members of Congress Why is Your Support Necessary? Enables the Business Travel Industry to Support Legislators Who Share Our Views Gives GBTA a Seat at the Table If We’re Not in the Game, WE Will NOT Win
PAC Contribution Rules PACs Accepts: Contributions up to $5,000 to a PAC per Calendar Year Contributions from Individuals PACs Cannot Accept: Contributions from Corporations Contributions from Chapters Contributions Non-US Citizens Who are Not Permanent Residents
How to Donate • Complete GBTA’s PAC Contribution Form • Cash, Personal Check or Credit Card Acceptable http://www2.nbta.org/usa/govermentrelations/Pages/NBTAPAC.aspx • Contribute Electronically on GBTA’s Website • One Time or Monthly Contribution Options
NBTAPAC Donor Levels • SHOW Your Dedication to the Industry • Contributors at the following levels are recognized at Convention PLATINUM MEMBERS - $2,000 +GOLD MEMBERS - $1,000 +SILVER MEMBERS - $500 +BRONZE MEMBERS - $100 +
Donate Today to Make a Difference • NBTAPAC is a federal political committee that makes contributions to federal candidates and committees. Contributions to NBTAPAC are voluntary and any member has a right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. The contribution guidelines are merely suggestions and a member may contribute more or less or not at all without concern of favor or disadvantage by the association. Corporate donations will be used to pay for other grassroots political activities. Contributions are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal tax purposes. Federal law requires NBTAPAC to request the name, address, occupation and employer for each person whose contributions exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) or more in a calendar year.