Officers’ Message

What Is INDEPAC?

One of the missions of the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association is to maintain a strong, involved presence in the Texas Legislature to protect and preserve the used car industry. Our association, from the Legislative Committee to the TIADA staff, keeps a watchful eye on potential legislation that could affect dealers.

One of the ways we accomplish this is by maintaining close relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle so we can serve as a resource when the need arises. Our political action committee, INDEPAC, plays an important role in this process. Through INDEPAC we can make contributions to legislative campaigns that align with the association’s philosophy. However, INDEPAC is not a part of your dues and it cannot be a dealership expense. The contributions must come from you personally.

So, let’s get personal. I make, and will continue to make, a personal contribution to INDEPAC every year. I clearly see the benefit and realize the important role it plays in my personal life. If my business is doing well, my personal life is usually going well too. My concern is found on page 7 of this magazine. It appears that less than 1% of you are helping to support the industry. The math is easy, if each member contributed just $100 to INDEPAC, that would exceed the largest annual contribution ever. That’s less than one doc fee for most dealers.

If you operate an independent dealership in Texas, you have benefitted from the advocacy that INDEPAC makes possible. In the 2017 session, TIADA advocated

by

Juan Sabillón

Mi Tierra Auto Sales (Houston) TIADA CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

for legislation that eliminated the annual registration and renewal fee for Related Finance Companies after the initial RFC registration. That is a savings of $600 annually! Additionally, TIADA also effectively lobbied for the passage of a bill eliminating the OCCC notification requirement when a dealer charges less than the safe harbor limit of $150. This helps dealers avoid costly penalties that could reach thousands of dollars. In the 2019 session, we saw the fruition of two longstanding issues for the association with the passage of a bill that prohibits named driver insurance policies and one for required pre-licensing education for auto dealers.

You can see how much savings these and other TIADA initiatives affect your dealership’s bottom line with the online INDEPAC Savings calculator at txiada.org under Resources >> Advocacy. There you will also find a way to donate, or you can turn to page 6 to find a donation form. Just fill it out and mail it to TIADA with your contribution!

We are fighting for the interests of dealers across the state, and it is critical that INDEPAC receives support from dealers like you, every one of you. In December, TIADA will print its final list of INDEPAC contributors — there is plenty of room for your name to be added to that list. As I mentioned earlier, your contribution must be made with a personal check or credit card. Corporate contributions are prohibited by state law. This is not just another business expense, nor should it be — this is personal.

If your name is found on page 7, thank you for your support.

... if you operate an independent dealership in Texas, you have benefitted from the advocacy that INDEPAC makes possible.

Yes, I would like to help with TIADA’s grassroots effort! ______________________________________________________________________________________

Please list me as a sustaining donor. I would like to support my industry by making a monthly credit card donation of $______________

Add me to the KEY-PERSON list! I know (Name of Legislator)

_______________________________________________ as a

____ Acquaintance ____Personal Friend

____Professional Contact

I would like to attend political fundraisers in my area I would like to support my industry by pledging a one-time donation of ___$1,000 ___$500 ___$250 ___$100 Other $________

____Personal Check Payable to INDEPAC _____Personal Credit Card

Name_______________________________________________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________________________________________ Home Address_______________________________________________________________________

Email ______________________________________________________________________________

** Personal Check or Personal Credit Card only. Corporate contributions are prohibited by state law. Contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. **

Charge my Credit Card

V MC D AM __________________________________________________Exp: _____/_____ CVV: _____

Name on Card: ____________________________________________________________________________

Card Billing Address (if different):

Or donate online at www.txiada.org >> Resources >> Advocacy >> Political Action Committee

______________________________________________________________________________________

Referred by:

c/o TIADA 9951 Anderson Mill Rd Suite 101 Austin Texas 78750 PHONE 512.244.6060 FAX 512.244.6218 EMAIL accounting@txiada.org