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Q. Is the TBIPAC legal? |
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A. Yes. The federal Election Campaign Act as well as the State of Louisiana Campaign Act allows the Tunica-Biloxi Indians to establish and administer a committee to solicit political contributions from individuals, vendors and interested parties to support federal and state candidates. |
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Q. But isn't it illegal for a corporation to make a political contribution? |
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A. Yes, in federal elections. No corporate funds will be given to political candidates or organization in connection with federal elections. However, the Tunica-Biloxi Indians are allowed to pay for costs of establishing and administering the TBIPAC and soliciting voluntary contributions for use in federal elections. This is why we have established a separate PAC for statewide elections here in Louisiana. |
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Q. Where will the TBIPAC get money for political contributions? |
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A. From voluntary contributions. The TBIPAC has no other source of revenue for this purpose. No tribal funds are involved. |
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Q. Are there any legal restrictions on which individuals may participate? |
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A. Yes. You must be a U.S. Citizen, or have been admitted to U.S. residence. |
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Q. What will TBIPAC do with money it collects? |
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A. The money will be contributed to the campaigns of selected candidates for federal and state elective office and political committees. |
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Q. Why should I contribute through TBIPAC as opposed to an individual direct contribution? |
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A. You may desire to continue your direct support of candidates. The purpose of the TBIPAC is to encourage and assist individuals to participate fully in the electoral process by contributing in a bi-partisan way to candidates for public office whose policies and programs are supportive of the Tunica-Biloxi Indians and its subsidiary business interests. The TBIPAC will have access to authoritative information on candidates, their past records, their need for money and their chance of winning. The TBIPAC Committee will also have time to efficiently analyze the information to make the most effective use of the money available. |
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Q. What impact have PACs had on elected candidates? |
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A. The very existence of PACs makes government aware that there is an organized and large involvement by business men and women in the political process. Individual contributions seldom have much impact. Also, an elected candidate is likely to pay more attention to a PAC representing a large number of people rather that an individual. |
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Q. Who is charge of the TBIPAC? |
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A. The TBIPAC is managed by a TBIPAC Committee appointed by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council. |
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Q. Who decides who gets the money? |
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A. The TBIPAC Committee, mentioned above, has responsibility for developing a list of appropriate candidates to support. The TBIPAC Committee draws up this list from a wide range of sources, including information from individual contributors. The TBIPAC Chairman will seek input from the Tribal Council and their subsidiary businesses quarterly to determine Tunica-Biloxi business priorities and which federal and state candidates or elected officials could support such efforts. |
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Q. How will the TBIPAC Committee make its decisions? |
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A. The TBIPAC Committee will consider recommendations and other factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following:
a. The integrity and character of the candidate.
b. The candidate?s position and voting record of business-related issues and/or economic questions of state and national importance.
c. Whether the candidate holds a leadership or policy-shaping position in his or her party, or on a legislative committee, or is likely to hold such a position in the future.
d. The nature and strength of the candidate?s opposition in the primary or general elections.
e. Financial need and other sources of financial assistance available to the candidate. |
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Q. Is the program bi-partisan? |
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A. Yes. The TBIPAC Committee will contribute to outstanding candidates, whether they are Democrats or republicans. |
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Q. May I make a contribution earmarked for a specific candidate or party? |
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A. No, but your recommendations will be considered by the TBIPAC Committee. If you want to be sure that a specific candidate or party receives your money, you should contribute directly to the candidate or party. |
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Q. How will I know what happens to the money? |
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A. The TBIPAC will make a report of its contributions to the Federal Election Commission and to state authorities as required by law. An annual report giving the total amount of contributions to the TBIPAC and the specific disbursements to candidates and political committees will be prepared by the Treasurer of the TBIPAC and made available upon request to all participants in the TBIPAC. |
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Q. How much should I contribute? |
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A. As much or as little as you like, subject to certain legal limits. We hope to receive larger contributions from businesses, many of whom have already been making contributions to candidates supportive of their organizations? business objectives. Obviously larger contributions make a significant difference in our ability to support candidates who understand the role the Tunica-Biloxi Indians can play in increasing economic benefits to all Louisianians. The suggested contribution levels on the ?Contribution? page are strictly voluntary, however, and anyone can decline to contribute free of reprisal. |
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Q. Are there any legal limitations on the amounts I can contribute? |
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A. Individual contributions to the TBIPAC (Federal) are limited to $5,000 per year; provided, however, that an individual?s contributions to candidates for federal office and PACs does not exceed $95,000* over a 2 year period (1/1/03-12/31/04 and subsequently 1/1/05-12/31/06). No corporate checks may be accepted. Individual contributions to the TBIPAC (State) are limited to $100,000 over a 4-year calendar period (1/1/03-12/31/06). Corporate checks can be accepted with the limit of $100,000 over the same 4-year period. (You may make a contribution to both state and federal but it must be on separate checks.) |
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Q. Are my TBIPAC contributions tax deductible? |
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A. No. |
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* Under the new limit of $95,000, individuals may contribute up to $37,500 to candidate committees and up to $57,500 to any other committees. The $57,500 portion contains a further restriction, in that no more than $37,500 of this amount may be given to committees that are not national party committees. |
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