TAA Q&A
What are DEAC and CARPAC?
What exactly is a PAC?
Why can't TAA give directly to candidates?
What does my contribution do?
How do DEAC and CARPAC decide which candidates to support?
What if DEAC or CARPAC gives money to a candidate I don't like?
Why should I support both DEAC and CARPAC?
What has CARPAC done for me lately?
How do I participate?
Q. What are DEAC and CARPAC? (top)
A. DEAC stands for Dealers Election Action Committee, the federal political action committee (PAC) of the National Automobile Dealers Association. CARPAC is the Tennessee Automotive Association's political action committee which participates in state legislative races only. In other words...
DEAC = Congress ... CARPAC = Tennessee legislature.
Q. What exactly is a PAC? (top)
A. A PAC is an organization which solicits and collects personal contributions from its members and then distributes the funds to the election campaigns of candidates running for office.
Q. Why can't TAA give directly to candidates? (top)
A. It is illegal in Tennessee to use corporate funds to elect state candidates. The money raised by CARPAC from TAA members is distributed to pro-industry candidates for the Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives.
Q. What does my contribution do? (top)
A. Your contribution helps give the automotive industry in general, and car and truck dealers in particular, a voice in politics. No PAC buys votes... CARPAC and DEAC foster a positive environment in which to tell our side of the story.
Q. How do DEAC and CARPAC decide which candidates to support? (top)
A. DEAC and CARPAC do not favor either Republicans or Democrats. Instead, recommendations are based upon whether or not a candidate is willing to listen to the concerns of our industry.
Q. What if DEAC or CARPAC gives money to a candidate I don't like? (top)
A. Every decision to contribute to a candidate starts with a recommendation from a dealer. At the heart of our decision is the sincere and firm belief that the PAC's participation in the race is in the best interests of our members. Sometimes DEAC and CARPAC support candidates holding key positions on committees of importance. Sometimes they support challengers running against office holders who have consistently voted against the NADA or TAA position. Whatever the case, you can be sure DEAC and CARPAC have your best political interests in mind.
Q. Why should I support both DEAC and CARPAC? (top)
A. State PACs can only support state candidates, not candidates for federal office. Dealer business interests extend far beyond state boundaries. Just as dealers need a voice to protect them at the state level, they need a strong voice on a national level too. It is not a matter of giving to one or the other. To be effective, dealers need to support both DEAC and CARPAC.
Q. What has CARPAC done for me lately? (top)
A. Legislative accomplishments include. . .
-
Resolved audit issues.
-
Business Tax rate increases applied prospectively.
-
Preserved motor vehicles’ “cap” under Streamlined Sales Tax Initiative.
-
Statutory Fee Disclosure.
-
Sheltered dealership finance income from the Tennessee Business Tax.
-
Truth-in-Lending issues statutorily clarified.
The bottomline . . . CARPAC is your business insurance!
Q. How do I participate? (top)
A. Your personal check or personal credit card authorization for CARPAC and DEAC should be sent along with the appropriate donor form (See, Attachments A & B) to Mrs. Kelly Barber, PAC Coordinator, TAA Headquarters, 2521 White Avenue, Nashville, TN 37204.
CONTACT US
The Tennessee Automotive Association owns its office building. Built in the 1960’s and extensively renovated in 1996, it is a facility we are proud to call our own. Best of all, it is bought and paid for. Come by and visit us anytime!
Tennessee Automotive Association
2521 White Avenue
Nashville, TN 37204
615.269.3433 |
