PHOENIX–The GoWest Credit Union Association is reporting that more than 125 advocates from Arizona’s CUs came together for annual “Arizona Credit Union Day at the Capitol.”
According to the association, the event was designed to demonstrate to legislators how “credit unions’ cooperative structure helps them deliver tangible financial benefits to Arizonans and drives positive impact to local communities.”
In all, the association said CU representatives met with 32 elected policymakers at the capitol, and specifically asked for support for a bill sponsored by Senator J.D. Mesnard (R-13) that the GoWest association said will:
- Help to ensure the safety of credit union employees and members.
- Reduce unnecessary red tape that costs money for credit unions, and ultimately their members.
- Free up capital which can be reinvested back into the membership.
Other Events
During the Day at the Capitol, the association said credit unions also:
The association said it met with Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee, with whom the state’s CUs have long worked together in a “shared financial education mission.” Yee was a guest speaker at the event. During her time as a state legislator and as treasurer, the association said Yee has advanced many financial education bills, including requiring curriculum be provided for K-12 students. She continues to raise awareness for and access to the AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan, the association said.
“I really appreciate Treasurer Yee’s focus, not just on K-12 education, but thinking beyond that,” Austin DeBey, VP-advocacy operations and legislative affairs for Arizona, said in a statement. “We fully support the holistic approach to financial literacy that the Treasurer’s office and Treasurer Yee have championed since day one.”
Arizona Advocate of the Year
For his never-ceasing work to advocate for the credit union charter, the GoWest Association reported Brian Lee, president and CEO of Landings Credit Union, was honored as the 2023 Arizona Advocate of the Year.
Notably in the past year, Lee served as co-chair of the inaugural GoWest Arizona Governmental Affairs Committee, hosted candidates at his credit union, attended key events for policymakers including Governor Katie Hobbs and Sen. Krysten Sinema, and actively participated in signature advocacy events at the state and federal levels, the association reported.
Top of the Hill Honors
Credit Union West and Vantage West CU were presented with “Top of the Hill” honors for their commitments to advancing advocacy priorities both at the hyper-local state level and in the Beltway.
“Seeing so many advocates take time away from their credit unions to come to CU Day and deliver key messages and stories to legislators about how credit unions are serving the state inspires us over and over,” Jennifer Wagner, EVP and chief advocacy officer for GoWest, said in a statement. “There really is nothing like the credit union movement.”
“Advancing policies that best serve credit union members is made possible because of the commitment advocates make to engage in the process, to build relationships with legislators, and to share the stories of the services they are providing to those policymakers’ constituents,” said Troy Stang, president and CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association. “These remarkable advocates stepped up in style today, as always.”
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