BIRMINGHAM, Ala./TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Southeastern credit unions have made more than 40,000 contacts with lawmakers this summer to say they do not want their CU taxed.
Over the past six weeks, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates has been working with CUs to promote CUNA’s Don’t Tax My Credit Union campaign. LSCU is sending out a monthly newsletter with the latest information on tax reform, showing best practices of what other credit unions are doing to reach out to elected officials and outlining steps credit unions can take.
In July, Southeastern credit unions used social media to send messages to their lawmakers. In August, they are using their monthly newsletters to let members know about tax reform and its implications, asking CUs to contact their lawmakers. LSCU President/CEO Patrick La Pine said credit unions in Alabama and Florida are embracing the effort and expanding on it.
Throughout August, LSCU has been distributing 110,000 postcards to credit unions in both states. The postcards provide credit union members an opportunity to show their support for their credit union by filling out the card stating that they do not want it taxed. The plan calls for LSCU staff and credit union officials to hand deliver the postcards to lawmakers during the league’s Hike the Hill trip in early September.
The league expects contacts will increase significantly once the postcards are filled out. One credit union ordered 25,000 and said it underestimated as branches have begun running out.
