Co-op Owners for Political Action - we want you!

For more than 30 years, the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) has been working to support candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives who understand and advocate on behalf of the value of electric Cooperatives and their member-owners. Issues affecting electric Cooperatives and the price Co-op members pay for electricity come before our national and state legislators every week, and if electric Co-ops don’t contact our elected representatives and explain how these issues can hurt or help our members, no one else will.

A few years ago, the State of Ohio was looking for additional revenue sources to eliminate a projected deficit and balance the budget for the biennium. Increasing the present kilowatt-hour (KWH) tax by 30 percent was one of Governor Taft’s proposals. Electric Co-op members already had received a 45 percent tax increase when the state changed from the gross receipts tax on electricity to the KWH tax. An additional 30 percent increase in the tax on our member-owners was not acceptable.

With help from many electric Cooperative members, our voice was heard, and the proposed increase in the KWH tax was dropped from the budget. Several of our elected officials commented this was the largest response to an issue they ever had received. Members, Trustees and employees working together and our good working relationship with our elected representatives are what make electric Cooperatives a powerful political force.

Today, electric Co-ops are facing many legislative issues that will affect the future operations of the Cooperative and the rates paid by Coop members (see sidebar). One way you can help is by joining the ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action (COPA) program, which provides a convenient way for member-owners of electric Cooperatives to participate in the political affairs of their Co-op. The participation of member-owners helps ensure that the voice of electric Cooperatives remains strong and effective in the political arena.

More than 33,000 Cooperative employees and Trustees across the country are helping their electric Coops as ACRE members. Now Cooperative member-owners can help by joining COPA. The cost to join COPA is $25 a year, or $2.08 per month, which can be added to your monthly electric bill if you prefer.

COPA members participate in a nationwide grassroots community with a strong collective voice working on behalf of electric Cooperatives and their members; receive current information on legislative and political issues affecting local electric Cooperatives
and their members, including Ohio’s Legislative Currents and the ACRE Newsletter; and receive a membership pin. To join COPA, please complete and print the COPA Membership Form.*

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