Bail Association Forms PAC

The Missouri Professional Bail Bond Association has formed a political action committee (PAC). For those who are unfamiliar with political jargon, the American Heritage Dictionary defines a PAC as: A committee formed by business, labor, or other special-interest groups to raise money and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support. The committee treasurer is association lobbyist Steve Carroll. The PAC chair is association president Jack Allison of Allison Bonding, Mexico, MO. The vice-chair is Ray Vunovich, agent of Allison Bonding. George Dodge, owner of Dodge Bonding of Columbia, MO, serves as second vice-chair.

According to the by-laws proposed in June, to be a non-voting member of the PAC you must be a member of the association and contribute a minimum of $100 annually. In order to be a voting member of the PAC, you must contribute $500 annually. If you want to be an officer of the PAC, that will cost you $1,000. After you have purchased a voting-level membership on the committee, you will be allowed to vote on proposed campaign contributions in support of candidates or members of the Missouri General Assembly. Although the bail association proposed the by-laws, the committee operates autonomously from the association and is not required to report back to the members of the bail association. Association members are only "eligible" to attend the PAC committee meetings after making the required "minimum contribution." The proposed by-laws state that business and affairs of the committee is vested in those who have purchased voting-level seats on the committee.