SEMA Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO)’s Post

🚀 Your Voice, Your Table: Driving Reform Together at SEMA! 🚀 Now, let's discuss the power of collective action. If you're facing government interference in your business, SEMA is here to help. This article is an excellent example of this in action! They can arrange for the constituents in your district to visit your factory, sit at Your Table, and engage in a meaningful discussion about the issues at hand. This is a powerful tool we possess to combat government overreach in our industry, and it's a testament to the strength of our collective voice. In talking with many of you the number one thing that you have acknowledged is the reform you see with SEMA’s leadership in addressing the needs of its membership! However, you want to see more! This has driven me to run for the Board of Directors. Find your power of collective action and join me in pushing for more reform as I run for the Board of Directors. Let's make your voice heard and tackle government interference head-on with SEMA's unwavering support! #RichB4SEMA #SEMAReform #GovernmentOverreach #MeetYourCongress #MemberAdvocacy  https://lnkd.in/g7dsPXbi

It's a long read. It's a painful read if you're a registered lobbyist, but its worth the time. It should be a constant reminder that the issue of Shadow Lobbying is still a big part of Washington and needs to be cleaned up. This article isn't favorable toward the lobbying profession. This article only highlights what the public thinks we are. Not an accurate reflection, but how can I complain when we have people who will sell out for money. How can I complain when we have people who will do anything for money. I was president of the American League of Lobbyists during the Jack Abramoff scandal. That scandal taught me a lot about this town and the profession. I wake up every day loving what I do because I know the people I represent are good people and have issues I believe in. You won't ever read a story like that. That experience also taught me that you can't legislate morality. People will do what they do because the system allows for it. We are the most heavily regulated profession in the country and yet it still doesn't stop bad actors. Don't judge a profession you know little about. Look in the mirror because every profession suffers from the same type of professionals we do. They just aren't scandalous enough to capture the public's attention. During the Abramoff scandal we fought back hard against knee jerk reactions to the piling on of legislative proposals meant to take away our First Amendment rights to petition our government. Today its different. We no one seems to care about stories like this article. They seem to brush them off by saying, its Washington, what do you expect. Shadow Lobbying is damaging our system of government. Today tens of millions of dollars or more are going unreported because people aren't registering to lobby. People are hiding behind an outdated Lobbying Disclosure Act, that needs updating to meet the definition of what lobbying truly is today. People are blatantly flaunting the rules and not registering. Just look at the Tik Tok debate and those who met with members of Congress. As much as I cringe at reading articles like this, I also appreciate them to a certain degree. They are a constant reminder we need to be better and need to be at the forefront of pushing for reforms that better our profession and accurately reflect what we do. Shadow Lobbying will continue to bring down our profession and the trust the public has in Washington until Congress takes action. We have real solutions that will bring about real changes that are good for the public and our entire system of government. Congress should want these changes. Their approvals ratings need it. Hoping Congress will work with us on a commonsense solution that end Shadow Lobbying, a practice that has led to people losing faith in government. Time for us to help restore that faith. #lobbying #ethicswmatter #shadowlobbying

A shared commitment to advocacy is at the heart of what makes @SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers such a valuable organization for everyone that is involved in the world of fuel. Decisions made today by policymakers in Washington will dictate long into the future how our industry operates. The way issues pertaining to our business are handled will have a tremendous impact on how each one of us does business. Being an advocate for regulations and legislation that will have a positive impact on our industry and the businesses we operate is one of the cornerstones of the SIGMA organization.   It is critical for you to realize that only YOU can advocate for yourself.  We are here to advocate as a group, but there is tremendous value in numbers. Our industry is unique in that we operate in every Congressional district across the U.S. While that is powerful, it only becomes valuable when we make those relationships known and legislators are able to put a face and name to the issues of importance to SIGMA.   I need you and your colleagues to join me July 22 – 24 in Washington, D.C. for the SIGMA Summer Legislative meeting. This is YOUR chance to speak with YOUR representatives on the Hill to discuss the legislative issues that will impact YOUR business. I don’t need to remind you that this is one of the most pivotal times in our industry – especially in this election cycle. The larger our presence is during Summer Legislative, the better it is for everyone! 

NEW BRIEF: STALEMATE ON K STREET Major enterprises competing in Washington, D.C. against established rivals commonly find themselves mired in a lobbying stalemate. Stagnant total lobbying expenditures and declining retainers for even the largest K Street firms signal the need for new approaches to corporate political competition that reflect an era characterized by party realignment and intensifying ideological conflict. The first in a two-part series on the future of business advocacy, this Baron Political Risk Brief explores the factors that produced the current lobbying standoff and the growing pressure on C-suite executives to field new tactics and technologies. https://lnkd.in/gSDWeYGx

Become A Precinct Committeeman

I know I am not the only American who sees journalism playing softball with tRump and his cultists. It's like they are trying to get America to simply accept this new normal. Well, we are not going to accept this. I will not, at least. Let us break down this The Washington Post article about #scotus and the "Chevron Doctrine." This case is about gutting regulatory #power from the US Federal Government and transferring it to the #courts, where the the tRump cult have appointed hundreds of cultist-friendly judges. So if this ruling proceeds, expect a tsunami of #lawsuits against the executive branch. Now a look at the wording in the article: "The distribution of power has shifted since then. With a mix of good luck and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s application of some hardball politics, Republicans can count on a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court." Comment by users GeorgeandGracie on this paragraph: "Boy, is THAT some revisionist history. McConnell didn’t play hardball. He looked America in the face and said Obama couldn’t appoint a Supreme Court judge with less than a year in his therm and then allowed Trump to do that with just weeks left in his term. In America we call that cheating not “hardball”. Then we have the rushed and botched investigation into Kavanaugh and his lie that Roe was settled law. That’s not good luck, that is lying. Trump’s appointments have been anything but lucky for women in this country whose health is now at risk thanks to draconian forced birth laws. Now, let’s consider the corruption of Clarence Thomas and his insurrectionist spouse. He refused to recuse himself on cases where they both stand to profit or are directly involved like Citizens United. That is not hardball or good luck - it is corrupt and unethical. If we are going to address the current state of the Supreme Court, let’s start with some facts first." https://lnkd.in/gpRY2epk #journalism #corruption #government #lawfare #hybridwarfare #civilwar

Know your Board Meeting Vocabulary! #VOCABDIVE with us today as we share wisdom on “Roll Call Vote.” A roll call vote is a crucial aspect of board meetings where board members cast their votes on a motion. This transparent voting system encourages the board to deep dive into a concerning topic which involves members to cast their votes and are held accountable for their decisions. Experience the ease of voting at your board meetings with BoardPAC. Talk to us: https://lnkd.in/gKNneJHC #BoardPAC #VocabDive #RollCallVote

Benesch Chief Marketing Officer Jeanne Hammerstrom and Director of Practice & Industry Initiatives Julie Gurney delivered insightful presentations at this month's Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference in San Diego. Julie discussed best practices for marketers when planning and executing new office launches, while Jeanne's presentation focused on maximizing business development, client service and cross-selling pipelines. Benesch is proudly committed to staying at the forefront of legal marketing trends and sharing our knowledge with industry peers. #LegalMarketing #LMA2024 #TeamBenesch #BeneschLaw

I recently came across an article that sparked a concern I believe we all share - the importance of voter participation. Regardless of political affiliation, we should all encourage voter turnout for the upcoming primaries and the general election in November. It's disheartening to see leaders take one path in 2020 and then express fatigue or concern over perceptions in 2024. As Mom Jan always said, "That is why they pay you the big bucks"! I'm not asking corporate leaders to influence their teams or reveal how they plan to vote. I'm simply asking them to make voting and democracy accessible and important this year and always. This includes enabling time off on voting days, encouraging early voting to even out crowds, and allowing for healthy and respectful discussions. To me, this is LEADERSHIP . This election is easily equal to, if not more, important than 2020. So let's work together to drive up participation, education, and involvement. Democracy only works if the majority of eligible voters actually exercise their rights and decisions. Let's make it happen!

Building on LOC's Lobbying 101 ToolKit, we've added some more content. Tune in for a refresher or build on what you already have. https://lnkd.in/g59xgyGQ