Golf with the Gov
Trig Solberg (Trig’s Food & Drug) and the WGA’s Brandon Scholz, along with Wisconsin Revenue Secretary and the WRA’s Pete Hanson joined Governor Jim Doyle at the 6th annual Governor’s Golf Outing.
Government Affairs
WGA members play a critical role in helping to elect pro-grocery legislators by making a personal contribution to the WGA Political Action Committee or to the WGA Political Support Program.
As members of the Legislative Council or the WGA Conduit, members can direct their contributions to legislators of their choice or join other WGA members to show strong support for specific legislators. This is an important participatorial activity for WGA members.
Political Support Program
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Q. What is the WGA Political Support Program?
A. The WGA Political Support Program is made up of the WGA Political Action Committee and the WGA Conduit. Combined, these two political committees enable the members of the Wisconsin Grocers Association to contribute to the campaigns of individuals running for political office in Wisconsin.
Q. What is a Conduit?
A. A Conduit is a political account sponsored by an association that can contribute to candidates for public office. When a member contributes to the WGA conduit, the money is put into that individual's account and cannot be contributed without authorization from that person. When the candidate receives a conduit contribution, the name of the person making the contribution is listed along with the specific dollar amount.
Q. What is a Political Action Committee?
A. A Political Action Committee (Political Support Program) is a group of people with common interests who pool their financial resources to help elect candidates for public office. Contributions from the PAC are contributed based on recommendations from the PAC Committee and the contributors remain anonymous.
Q. Why does the WGA have a Political Support Program?
A. Political campaigns are very expensive to run—yard signs, fliers, office space and media time all consume a significant amount of money. Candidates rely on contributions from individuals and closely aligned political groups—such as Political Support Programs—to fund their campaigns. The Political Support Program is an integral part of WGA’s total government affairs program and supports our efforts to play an active role in the political process.
Q. What are the legal requirements to making a political contribution?
A. All contributions must be personal. No corporate money may be used to finance a campaign in Wisconsin. Also, the maximum contribution by an individual may not exceed $10,000 in a calendar year to any combination of candidates in Wisconsin.
Q. Why make contributions to candidates?
A. If the WGA does not express its opinion, others will -- some whose interests' conflict, or compete with our interest's. Therefore, it is important that we actively support candidates who share, or understand our point of view.
Q. Do contributions buy politicians?
A. No. The cost of a typical campaign today can be more than $100,000 for an Assembly seat and more than $300,000 for a Senate seat. It is unlikely that our contributions could ever be considered unduly influential. However, all contributions are recognized and appreciated; and in close races, they can make a real difference. Financial support helps with candidates and officeholders. Whenever possible, contributions are delivered by the WGA members at fundraisers for the candidate. These meetings are valuable in educating lawmakers about our issues of concern.
Q. Who decides which candidates receive contributions?
A. The Political Support Program Committee makes contribution decisions. The Political Support Program committee consists of a retail member, a wholesale member and an allied member of the WGA Board of Directors. Critical to this process are recommendations from the WGA who are familiar with local candidates, politics and specific issues.
The Political Support Program supports candidates that represent areas where we have retail operations, distributions operations and/or administrative offices. We also support other candidates in leadership positions that influence issues of concern to the company.
Q. Are my contributions to the Political Support Program tax deductible?
A. No. Contributions to the WGA Political Action Committee are not deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. For further guidance, you should consult a tax advisor.
Q. Is my contribution confidential?
A. If you contribute more than $100 annually, the Political Support Program must provide the State Elections Board with your name, home address, occupation, and amount of contribution. However, individual contributions will not be disclosed internally, under any circumstances.
Q. May I know which candidates receive Political Support Program support?
A. Yes. The WGA Political Support Program, like all Political Support Program's must file semi-annual reports to the State Elections Board. These reports can be reviewed by calling the State Elections Board or contacting the Wisconsin Grocers Association.
Q. How do I contribute?
A. You may send a personal check to the Wisconsin Grocers Association Political Support Program.
Send personal checks to:
Wisconsin Grocers Political Support Program
One South Pinckney St., Ste. 504
Madison, WI 53703
How may I receive additional information?
A. If you need more information, have questions or suggestions please contact Brandon Scholz or Michelle Kussow at the Wisconsin Grocers Association at 888-342-5942 or 608-244-7150.
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