Rent-to-own dealers and vendors from over five states across the midwest trekked to the banks of The Lake of the Ozarks tonight to shatter attendance records on opening night of the fifth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show and Seminar in Lake Ozark, Missouri.

Some 167 dealers representing 19 companies pre-registered for the vendor preview showcase Tuesday -- a 26 percent increase over last year -- to peruse some 70 vendor booths and meet factory representatives and distributors from a wide range of product categories.

See Photos and Read more - http://www.rtohq.org/02431apro-rto-dealers-turn-out-for-heartland-attendance-up-26-percent.html

Political Action Committee

As you should know by now, our Association has created a political action committee (PAC).  The PAC is called the Missouri Rental Dealers Association Political Action Committee.  Our PAC will support candidates for statewide political office who are friendly to, or have demonstrated support of, the rental-purchase industry.

Contributions help candidates finance their political campaigns.  The Missouri Rental Dealers Association Political Action Committee is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the rental-purchase industry in the state of Missouri.

Every year our PAC needs to raise money to have a stronger presence in Jefferson City.  It enable us to build relationships with our politicians.  It is imperative that we maintain a positive influence in the state to avoid anti-RTO legislation that we have seen in other states. 

Unlike Federal PACs, we may accept personal or corporate contributions.  It is important to remember that all contributions are not tax deductible, but may be the best investment in your future that you can make.  Everyone who makes their living in or from the Rent-to-Own business SHOULD be a contributor.

We have established five levels of contributions to the PAC fund.      

2009 Contribution Levels:

1. Platinum Level     $500.00
2. Gold Level          $300.00
3. Silver Level         $200.00
4. Bronze Level       $100.00
5. Supporter Level   $ 25.00

Please send check to:

MRDA PAC FUND

3407 Bridgeland Drive

Bridgelan, MO  63044

Sincerely,

Dan Cole  (PAC Chairman, MRDA)

Rent-to-Own Bill Co-Sponsors

The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act of 2009 by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and U.S. House of Representative William Lacy Clay has been introduced and assigned bill numbers S. 738 and H.R. 1744. The rent-to-own regulatory bill will require consumer pricing disclosures, advertising disclosures and reinstatement rights while defining the rent-to-own transaction as a lease. The bill mirrors 47 state rent-to-own laws and offers the proper balance between consumer protections and small business competition.

 S. 738 and H.R. 1744 have been referred to the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. The bill has broad national support through small business grassroots advocacy. The most powerful grassroots event is APRO's Dave Egan Legislative Conference held each year in Washington, D.C., where hundreds of small business APRO members attend to tell the rent-to-own story to their members of Congress. 

 APRO's 2009 APRO Legislative Conference held April 21-23 and Aaron's national meeting in Washington, D.C. the week earlier brought hundreds of small business owners and employees to walk the halls of Congress. While in DC and on a cold and rainy days, hundreds of Aaron's employees donated their time, muscle and hearts cleaning up the Smithsonian grounds, assisting in veteran's hospitals and hosting a 5K race/walk to raise money for those charities.

H.R. 1744 by Rep. William Lacy Clay was introduced on March 26, 2009. The bill currently has 92 co-sponsors.

 For more information on APRO’s federal legislative effort, please contact APRO Public Affairs Director Richard May by e-mail or phone at 512-225-1051, and check out http://www.rtohq.org/apro-rent-to-own-bill-co-sponsors.html for complete details.