CULAC surpassing last election year's income and contributions

WASHINGTON-According to the Credit Union Legislative Action Council of CUNA’s (CULAC’s) reports of receipts and disbursements, the political action committee (PAC) is out-receiving and out-spending last year’s numbers, which was an election year. Typically more funds flow through PACs during election years. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show that while CULAC had less cash on hand at the start of this year ($289,023.88) than last year ($391,272.23), CUNA’s PAC has made contributions totaling more than $628,000 as of July 31, 2001. This figure is significantly above the $603,225.48 for 2000 at this time. In the month of July 2001 alone, CULAC unloaded nearly $102,000, while in 2000 disbursements only totaled $74,950. While CULAC took in less money in July with $137,400.61 in total receipts than last year at this time ($163,837.63), the year to date statistics look much better. As of the end of July 2001, CULAC received $685,904.34, as compared to $563,016.53 at this time in 2000. Big money getters last month include Republican Virginian Randy Forbes, who replaced the late 10-term veteran Democrat Norman Sisisky (Va.) ($5,000); Jeff Miller, a Republican from Florida, running for the open seat of fourth-term incumbent Joe Scarborough (R-Fl.) ($5,000); Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) ($5,000); and Freshman Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-Minn.) ($2,500). Top fundraisers for CULAC include the South Carolina League PAC for $50,000 this month and the California League PAC weighing in at $20,000.