GCLA Open Letter to Senator John Kerry

March 13, 2009

The Honorable John Kerry
United States Senate
304 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Kerry,

The Greater California Livery Association represents the 5000 limousine and sedan operators in California. I am writing to you on their behalf, as president of the Association.

Recently you introduced S. 463, legislation to impose limitations on certain expenditures by participants in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Your legislation is very narrow in scope and all encompassing in perception. Specifically, as I read the legislation, it would prohibit recipients of funds authorized by TARP from sponsoring, hosting, or paying for entertainment or holiday events during the calendar year, or the next occurring calendar year, in which TARP assistance was received.

The intent of your legislation is laudable. The result is having a devastating impact on our industry. As you know all to well, in politics perception is reality. You would be amazed, and I trust dismayed, to learn of the impact your legislation is having on the California economy. Like your home state of Massachusetts, California's economy is, in large measure, based on robust tourism. The dampening affect of your legislation is resulting in numerous cancellations of meetings, conferences, conventions, and trade shows. Clearly, this was not the intent of the bill, but the business and industrial leaders of our nation are fearful that their integrity may be called into question should they host or sponsor events identified in your bill.

Senator, I urge you, on behalf of my industry in particular and California's travel and tourism industries in general, to tone down the rhetoric and support American commerce. We are depending upon you.

Sincerely,

 Alan Shanedling, President, Greater California Livery Association