Political Advocacy

Political Advocacy
GRA Members receive exclusive access to the following:

• Workshops on legislative and regulatory changes
• Issue briefs, position papers and other materials to educate members and elected officials
• Weekly update during the state legislative session, a monthly report to members and action alerts on vital issues
• GRA Public Affairs Team: The Vaquer Firm, government affairs consultants
• Front Burner Lobby Day at the State Capitol and cities across Georgia to get members involved in the legislative process and to engage elected officials in the restaurant industry
• Annual GRA-PAC awards reception and local receptions held throughout the year 
  
• GRA-PAC/Governmental Affairs Committee: meets throughout the year to discuss restaurant industry issues and GRA-PAC strategy

• It would cost each restaurant at least $100,000 to finance a Government Affairs team like the GRA-PAC provides
• Adequate representation in local government on issues like immigration, training regulations, extending alcohol sales, and protecting the bottom line from anti-restaurant legislation and regulations
• Saving Georgia restaurants $2000-$10,000 with the Menu Labeling Pre-emption bill, barring individual cities and counties from passing varying legislation for restaurants to battle and comply to varying legislation
• Common Sense Consumption law- first in the nation to pass to avoid frivolous consumption lawsuits- (McDonalds Corp. has spent over $17 million dollars to settle cases filed and additional monies to comply with settlements.)
• Anti-Restaurant legislation in neighboring states -South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, etc...- as an industry we must be prepared to work to defeat anti-restaurant proposals
• We work directly with legislators to support our members through hosting events at member restaurants, using member caterers, event facilities and vendors

About the GRA-PAC

The Georgia Restaurant Association Political Action Committee (GRA-PAC) is the political arm of the GRA that sponsors and finances our advocacy initiatives in Georgia. The GRA-PAC is able to contribute to candidates for elected office and engage in political activities on behalf of candidates and issues.

The GRA-PAC encourages involvement through monetary contributions, in-kind contributions and participating in activities.

The purpose of the GRA-PAC is to politically promote, educate, and engage the restaurant industry.

Promote: The GRA-PAC promotes the restaurant industry's importance to the Georgia economy and community by increasing the presence of our elected officials at industry events and highlighting industry achievements in our local communities.

Educate: The GRA-PAC offers workshops, produces issue briefs, position paper and other materials to educate our members and elected officials about restaurant industry positions.

Engage: The GRA-PAC engages in activities to enhance the advocacy position of the association through hosting events that recognize our members and elected officials for their work on behalf of the industry.

The GRA-PAC works to protect and add to the bottom line of our industry with pre-emptive legislation, protection from frivolous law suits, opportunities to volunteer in the local community and to support Pro-Restaurant candidates.

GRA-PAC Successes

Menu Labeling Pre-Emption - Menu labeling has shown to cost restaurants from $2000-$10,000 per restaurant. In the 2008 Legislative session the GRA-PAC worked to get this bill passed and signed by the Governor. This bill will save each restaurant from fighting menu labeling in each municipality in Georgia (over 360 in GA) and keep menu labeling off the table another year.

"Merlot to Go" - This bill allows restaurant patrons that have purchased a bottle of wine with their meal to take the unused portion of wine home. This bill has the potential to add $1000's of dollars of profit to wine sales at restaurants.

Common Sense Consumption - First state in the nation to pass this legislation to avoid frivolous consumption law suits from hitting our restaurants in Georgia.

Fat's, Oils, and Grease - The GRA-PAC led the effort to eliminate liability and limit exposure for restaurants in transferring (FOG) to outside haulers

It would cost each restaurant over $100,000 a year to hire and maintain a government affairs team. The GRA-PAC has saved restaurants in Georgia thousands of dollars at the state level and is now expanding to represent you in over 360 cities and 159 counties.

GRA-PAC Activities

GRA-PAC Annual Awards Reception - This reception is held to honor legislators and industry leaders for their commitment to the political advocacy of the GRA-PAC.

Additional GRA-PAC receptions will be held throughout the year in cities across Georgia to encourage local involvement. These receptions will focus on local issues and a chance for restaurateurs to meet and greet with elected officials.

GRA-PAC Public Affairs Days - This event is an opportunity for our members to participate in state government. Together we obby and educate our elected officials on our issues and positions as representatives of the restaurant industry. This event is held during the legislative session in early February. It features:

• Advocacy training on the current issues of the session
• An opportunity to talk directly to your legislator about industry issues and the GRA-PAC position
• Legislative reception to mix and mingle with legislators

GRA-PAC/Governmental Affairs Committee -This committee of the GRA serves as a sounding board for GRA-PAC/ Governmental Affairs activities. This committee meets regularly during the legislative session and at will throughout the remainder of the year. This committee is open to members of the GRA, if you are interested in joining please contact Keisha Carter, Public Affairs Director.

GRA-PAC Communication

• Weekly E-News Update - Sent via email to members and available on the GRA Community Forum, this will give the latest updates to political and legislative news around the state. During the legislative session this will highlight bills that have been proposed and the industry position.
• Public Affairs Legislative Monthly Update - A monthly update available to members that reviews legislative and political information for members-initially sent to members via the web.  Available on GRA-Community Forum.
• "Hot off the Hill" Action Alerts- These will be sent to members via email for calls to action on specific legislation. Links and background information will be provided in the email for members to respond quickly.
• Legislative Score Card - This publication will list all legislators and how each voted on key GRA issues for the past legislative session. It will rank legislators with letter grades and contain district and capitol contact information. This will be sent to members following the legislative session, via email, GRA Discussion Board and via mail to all GRA-PAC contributors.
• The GRA-PAC Website - The website will provide updated information on political activities, legislative scorecards, and links to information and experts on political issues.
• Legistative Dining Guide - This guide will provide legislators and staff with a full listing of GRA restaurants and highlight GRA-PAC Patriots for their dedication to political advocacy.