State league lobbying is undergoing more revamps this spring with advocacy schedules getting altered at two more leagues–Texas and California–to advance a more focused industry message to lawmakers.
CUNA and state league officials stressed that the changes are the result of heightened legislative pressure on a variety of issues, with interchange, regulatory budget woes, compliance burdens and consumer protection highest among them.
In both Texas and California, however, another industry cause is to get CU leaders better acquainted with the many freshman GOP lawmakers who took office in the elections last November.
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Under a new format adopted this year, the Texas Credit Union League said it will be conducting a "Hike the State Capitol" schedule, complete with a shuttle bus schedule at the conclusion of the league's annual meeting in Austin on April 26-28.
And in California, the get- acquainted blitz is focusing on the administration of Gov. Jerry Brown (D), with the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues detailing a "Government Relations Rally" April 11-12 at the Sacramento Convention Center.
"There are any number of bills being introduced in the state legislature with many on mortgages that need watching, which is why rally participation is urgent this year," explained Melissa Ameluxen, the league's director of state government affairs.
Invited to the rally are the governor, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and California Department of Financial Institutions Commissioner William Haraf, who is slated to speak to the gathering.
For its hike the capitol event, the Texas League sent out a to-do list last month on how CEOs should make contacts with state lawmakers and make appointments on April 28, the final day of the convention. CEOs need to prepare information and material about their CU, become informed on the issues and report back to the league, the group said.
"By taking part in hike the capitol, you are helping to build relationships and educate lawmakers on the scope and efforts of credit unions in their community as well as providing valuable insight as to the unintended consequences of well-intentioned" legislation, the league said.
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