FranPAC Favorite: Tom Latham

By BRIAN DIGGELMANN According to the International Franchise Association, FranPAC “creates an opportunity for IFA members to provide financial support to candidates for federal office, and a robust PAC means more contributions to candidates who understand franchising and who will promote a legislative and regulatory climate favorable to franchising.” Tom Latham - $10,000 This week, we’ve been profiling members of congress who have received contributions from FranPAC, the franchising industry’s largest political action committee and the voice of the IFA in Washington. The common threat that ties our featured politicans together is their ability to influence the franchise industry. Boehner’s influence is clear—as Speaker of the House he is the ranking Republican in the entire government, making his opinions and allegiances of tremendous value. But it’s not only party leadership that FranPac supports. All members of congress play important roles in various committee and caucuses and have their decisions shaped by their own experiences. Today’s profile, for example, is on Tom Latham, a veteran congressman from the state of Iowa. Latham was one of just seven members of congress to receive FranPac’s largest individual contribution of $10,000. Although the name may not be familiar, his background and voting record have proven him to be a friend to the franchising community and an advocate for its causes. While growing up on a farm in Iowa, Latham worked in the family business. That first-hand experience helped him understand how difficult running a successful small business is and the unique challenges small business owners face on a regular basis. After being elected to represent Iowa’s 5th Congressional District in 1994 and eventually 3rd District in 2003, Latham applied his experiences to his politics, championing fiscal responsibility and working to reduce regulation on businesses. Latham’s voting record also shows him to be strongly anti-tax. Voting Record The IFA gave Latham a 100 percent rating for voting with the IFA on franchising-related legislation. Below is a sampling of legislation on which he has voted in line with franchising’s favor:

H.R. 9: Small Business Tax Cut Act			Yea
H.R. 10: Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011			Yea
H.R. 4: The Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act of 2011			Yea
H.R. 3630: Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011			Yea
H.R. 2433: Veterans Opportunity to Work Act of 2011			Yea
H.R. 3094 Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act			Yea
H.R. 2: Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act			Yea

  For more information and details on what each of these amendments and resolutions, visit the IFA’s Federal Vote Scorecard website by clicking here.