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2012 Roll of Distinction |
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112th Congress Wrap Up |
| ALPA-PAC was a large part of ALPA’s legislative success during the 112th Congress. In total, the PAC spent more than $1.4 million educating 266 Members of Congress and candidates on issues effecting pilots’ daily lives. That money went towards speaking with Members directly and building deeper relationships with their offices. The salutary effect of these expenditures not only aided ALPA during the 2012 election cycle, but will continue to be felt as the 113th Congress continues its work on pilot partisan measures. Of the 266 federal candidates ALPA-PAC supported during 2011-2012, 243 will be Members of the 113th Congress (a 91% success rate). The PAC’s support helped enable 213 current pilot partisan Members retain their seats; an additional 30 new pro-pilot Senators and Representatives will be joining them. Collectively, these 243 Members come from the entire political spectrum, represent 44 states, and will serve on every committee in the 113th Congress. These ALPA champions, educated on our issues and already in contact with our legislative staff, will be great assets to our future political and legislative endeavors. Internally, the PAC re-tooled significantly over the 2012 cycle and is experiencing significant gains. Nearly 600 pilots joined the PAC for the first time during 2012 and an additional 250 rejoined after an absence. Overall, 13.3% of ALPA members contributed to the PAC by the end of 2012, 2% more than were contributing at the start of the cycle. This increased participation lead to a large increase in receipts. The PAC took in nearly $1.8 million over two years, exceeding our budget by $200,000. That excess will be reallocated to the 2013-2014 budget to help build on the strong foundation the PAC has put in place over the past two years. |
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What the Fiscal Cliff Means to Pilots |
| You cannot turn on a news program or pick up a newspaper without hearing about budget talks in Washington to avert the “Fiscal Cliff” and reduce the federal budget deficit. On January 1, 2013, the provisionally lowered payroll and income tax rates expire, the Alternative Minimum Tax limit expires, the Social Security payroll tax cut expires, and the estate tax rate expires. Additionally, an automatic set of budget cuts totaling more than $1.2 trillion – known as sequestration – will take effect. The combination of these tax hikes and budget cuts could be so detrimental to our national economy that many have taken to referring to them collectively as the “Fiscal Cliff.” Read more. |
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Key Men Society |
 At this morning’s Board of Directors meeting of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, ALPA president Capt. Lee Moak unveiled the “Key Men Society,” which honors the 24 brave souls who formed our union 81 years ago. “Just as our founders led our predecessors through incredible hardship to make a better future that all professional airline pilots enjoy today, this award honors those pilot groups who are leading us today into an even better future by exceeding 24 percent PAC participation at their local councils,” said Moak. The inaugural Key Men Society was awarded to the following councils: DAL Council 81
FDX Councils 79, 100, 123
UAL Council 27 Help your council reach this level by supporting ALPA-PAC today. Read coverage from Day 1.
For more on the 44th BOD, visit www.alpa.org/BOD2012. |
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100 Percent Campaign |
| At the Board of Directors meeting this morning, Capt. Moak recognized pilot groups who moved the Association closer to its goal of reaching 100 percent ALPA-PAC participation among all elected officers. As of the deadline today, 22 of 26 U.S. pilot groups have met this goal. Moak commended the pilots for their support to ensuring a pilot-partisan Congress. Only 6 elected officials chose not to participate. “We must play an active role in shaping the laws that govern our lives or we will be victim to them. ALPA-PAC is the most effective tool we have to shape legislation,” said Moak. “Reaching the 100 percent participation mark at your MEC is only the first step.” Moak applauded the following MECs for achieving 100-percent ALPA-PAC participation: Alaska, AirTran, Air Transport International, Air Wisconsin, Atlantic Southeast, Capital Cargo, Compass, Continental, Delta, Evergreen, ExpressJet, FedEx Express, Hawaiian, Island Air, Mesa Air Group, North American, PSA, Ryan, Spirit, Sun Country, Trans States, United |
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Building Up ALPA-PAC |
| Capt. Moak also commented about the need to expand ALPA-PAC participation beyond the leadership level to line pilots. “We must earn all of our pilots’ dedication to this cause, as well. The vast majority of ALPA-PAC’s resources are funded by thousands of line pilots and it is our job to leave here and enlist thousands more. We’ve set a goal for all of ALPA to reach 20-percent participation in the PAC.”
The following councils were recognized today for reaching this commendable goal this year: DAL Councils 48, 54, 108
FDX Council 14
UAL Councils 11, 12, 33, 34, 52, 93, MEC |
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Threat to the FFDO |
| There is no question that our country is facing a serious debt crisis. As a nation, we must reprioritize our spending and our government must make better decisions with our tax dollars. However, the Administration’s threatened budget cut to the Federal Flight Deck Officers program (FFDO), one of the most cost-efficient security measures we have, is not the answer. Read more |
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2011 ALPA-PAC Year In Review |
| 2011 was a good year for ALPA in part because of ALPA-PAC’s efforts. Thanks to the generous contributions of more than 5,000 ALPA members, we were able to accomplish several things that have been in process for years and get started on some very important pieces of legislation that’ll effect pilots for years to come. Read more |
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ALPA-PAC Checkoff Now Available Online |
ALPA member s can now sign up for ALPA-PAC Checkoff online. It’s never been easier to sign up for check-off and support a healthy pro-pilot majority. The ALPA-PAC check-off program allows you to make small, regular contributions directly from your paycheck. You can start, stop, or adjust your donations at any time and all of your support goes directly to help pass pro-pilot legislation in Congress.
Click here to join Checkoff today |
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ALPA-PAC Gives $1.5 Million to Aid Congressional Candidates in 2010 Elections; ALPA Members Donate Over $900,000 to ALPA-PAC in 2010 |
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The ALPA-PAC Steering Committee announced that the 2010 ALPA-PAC Annual Giving Campaign raised $916,000 in voluntary contributions from U.S. ALPA members. The participation rate was 14 percent, or roughly 5,500 pilots, with an average annual contribution of $165.35. More than 94 percent, or $863,000, of the revenues came from the ALPA-PAC checkoff program.
The announcement was made by the new ALPA-PAC chairman, Captain Lee Moak… Read more |
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ALPA-PAC’s Role in the 2010 Election Cycle |
| The Air Line Pilots Association Political Action Committee (ALPA-PAC) disbursed roughly $1.5 million dollars to federal candidates and coordinated campaigns in the 2010 election cycle… Read more |