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A total of 74 Minnesota credit union professionals and volunteers traveled to Washington, D.C., Feb. 21-25 for the Credit Union National Association’s annual Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), joining more than 4,000 other attendees from around the country.
Hill Luncheon
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During the Network Luncheon, Senator Klobuchar (D-Minn.) briefly discussed the issues facing Congress.
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During the conference, the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) coordinated a luncheon and issues briefing for attendees. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) spoke to Minnesota GAC attendees at the MnCUN luncheon and briefly discussed the issues facing Congress.
Sen. Klouchar said that these are “interesting times in Washington,” but added that she enjoys working with credit unions. She also said that she has made efforts to ensure that credit unions “don’t get ‘dinged’” during the legislative process because of mistakes made by big banks.
Hill Visits
During the conference, the Minnesota contingent spent an afternoon on Capitol Hill meeting with Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation to discuss credit union issues. In credit unions’ meeting with legislators, advocates discussed jobs creation legislation and asked members of Congress to support a bill that would modify statutory limitations placed on credit union member business lending.
By raising the arbitrary business lending cap from 12.25 percent to 25 percent of assets, it would allow Minnesota credit unions to lend an additional $176 million to small businesses, helping to create up to 2,000 jobs in the state. Each member of Congress was asked to add
his or her signature to a letter of support to expand credit unions’ business lending authority, which was written by Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-Penn.)
In addition, credit unions spoke to elected officials about the importance of overdraft protection programs and interchange revenue, as well as the proposed creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
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| During Hill Visits, credit union profesionals and volunteers meet with Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-3rd District) (picture right) to discuss member business lending and other credit union issues. |
In credit unions' meeting with Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) (picture left), he expressed a general frustration with “sketchy bank practices,” and said that he likes credit unions and appreciates hearing from constituents. |
2011 Governmental Affairs Conference
The CUNA GAC is held in late February or March each year in Washington, D.C. Thousands of credit union professionals and volunteers from across the country gather in our Nation’s Capitol to raise awareness about credit unions and credit union initiatives.
The four-day conference includes a variety of breakout sessions and guest speakers which provide attendees with information on politics and other current challenges credit unions face. Attendees also visit all 10 members of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to discuss credit union issues. The Network holds two events in conjunction with the GAC, Minnesota Night and the Network Luncheon.
The 2011 conference is set for Feb. 27-March 3, 2011. Additional information will be available as the event draws closer.
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