Reality Concerning Legislative Agendas and Pac Funds

Acre claims: they have been successfully operating in the legislative arena by making friends, campaigning for candidates, promoting our organization and even navigating the recent Assault Bill (A11756) through the New York State Legislature in Albany. ACRE has done all of this without the benefit of funds that are traditionally made available by a Political Action Committee (PAC).

Reality is: to be effective in the legislative arena in New York State, an organization, or a member of the organization, or an individual retained to represent the organization as a lobbyist, must be registered with the New York State Lobbying Commission. If not registered, which the ACRE is not as of May 7, 2004, the total amount of funds that may be utilized for the lobbying of a legislative slate in a calendar year is $2,000.00. That total of expended funds associated with the activity includes contributions to politicians, and all other related expenses. Besides, which politicians can ACRE approach? The New York State Legislature is familiar with the relationship between the ACRE and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Bill A 9149 and the Senate companion Bill S 6943 were introduced to deny the MTA the ability to compensate any ACRE officers from State, Federal and fare box funds. This legislation was introduced after the passage of Federal legislation, House Joint Resolution, No. 2, and signed into law in February of 2003, which denied the MTA the ability to compensate any ACRE officers from Federal funds.

The ACRE Newsletter claims that politicians “have been helpful in supporting our organization against the attacks of our former International Unions.” Exactly which politicians would fit this description? It certainly would not be any of the 338 Congressman and 76 Senators that voted in favor of the language contained in House Joint Resolution, No.2. Maybe Jack Gaines meant the various Congressman, Senators, New York State Assemblymen or Senators that forwarded letters to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, requesting an investigation into the relationship between the ACRE and the MTA. Among the representatives that sent letters were Senator Hillary Clinton and Congressman Jack Quinn. Both of these politicians have had their picture taken with ACRE officers, before they were aware of the arrangement the ACRE has with the MTA.

ACRE continues to assemble sole credit for the passage of the Assault Bill. TWU Local 100 performed the actual lobbying for the Bills passage. Local 100's Legislative Representatives deserve acknowledgment of their efforts. The October 11, 2002, edition of The Chief reported “Driver Assault law a victory of TWU.

A responsibility of a labor organizations' Legislative Director is to inform the membership when legislation potentially beneficial to its members is introduced. This duty should be performed regardless of the legislation's origin. During the New York State Legislature's last session, at the request of Sam Nasca, the New York State Legislative Director, from the United Transporttion Union (UTU), legislation for a passenger train crew consist bill was introduced. Assembly Bill A 8655 and Senate Bill S 5376 provide for a minimum train crew of one conductor and one trainman for each passenger revenue train in New York State operating outside of New York City limits. ACRE has failed to inform its membership that this legislation was introduced. The question of course is why? If ACRE actually has a legislative agenda to pursue, then informing their membership of any favorable legislation should be included in their master plan.