Truck PAC

MTA TRK-PAC
To insure a political climate that will continue to promote the trucking industry in Illinois, TRK-PAC actively solicits and contributes funds on a bi-partisan basis to those whose political views are sympathetic to the members of Mid-West Truckers Association.

POLITICAL ACTION
These are two words that describe an important level of involvement in your Association. They also address the aggressive political stance of Mid-West Truckers Association.

WHY SHOULD I GET TO KNOW MY ELECTED OFFICIALS?
In addition to contributing to TRK-PAC, you have an obligation to become acquainted with your elected officials - especially your state representative, state senator, US. congressman and US. Senators. This enables you to be a valuable member of the Association’s “Grass Roots Legislative Team” because you can talk directly to your legislators on how you feel about legislation and issues. These are by far the most important contacts you can make.

WHY SHOULD I CONTRIBUTE TO TRK-PAC?
The simple truth of the matter - It is very expensive to get elected! TRK-PAC, through controlled donations, can help elect officials who will work closely with our industry. It is imperative that we elect people who are committed to the improvement of the transportation industry in Illinois.

TEN FACTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

  • You, as a truck operator, and your company, are greatly influenced by what the government does or does not do. Government makes the rules that determine everything about how you do business and much more. You do have a personal stake in government relations.
  • Let’s admit it - truck “issues” aren’t very exciting to the vast bulk of legislators and the public in general.
  • Relating to government is relevant only when you are able to influence decisions. This is true regardless of whether you are relating to local, state, or federal government, and it is equally true for the legislative and executive branches of government.
  • Government leadership in America is the product of the political process.
  • The political process produces politicians who either have been or want to be elected.
  • Although politicians do not make all of the decisions in government, the non- elected decision makers such as department of agency heads are usually more responsive to those who have political power than to those who do not.
  • Politicians are always conscious of two events - the last election and the next election. Political people categorize everyone they deal with in very elementary terms:
    1. Group A: Those who can help or have helped me get elected;
    2. Group B: Those who could cause me to be defeated; and 
    3. Group C: Everybody else (and they don’t count).
  • People who participate in the political process are actually selecting the decision-makers and decision influencers of government.
  • The best definition of political power is “the ability to influence the outcome of an election.”
  • In a system like ours, where government is the product of the political process, political power provides the ability to influence the outcome of government decisions.