NPA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The NPA fights for pawn at both state and federal levels 24/7/365
About the Government Relations Committee
Team GRC keeps NPA members updated on successes and challenges facing the pawn industry and informs them of Washington’s legislative and regulatory activities. “Alerts” are distributed to NPA members when the GRC team feels immediate information should be shared.
The GRC oversees implementation of the NPA’s legislative programs and directs the activities of NPA’s lobbyists and legislative staff. The committee keeps NPA members abreast of important legislation and how it may impact their businesses on a federal, state, or local level. The GRC provides the following services to the association:
- Analysis of proposed laws and regulations at both state and federal level
- Education about the pawn industry’s concerns and priorities to legislators
- Reviews of federal, state, and local legislative programs
- Recommendations for association action
GRC At Work For Pawn
The GRC assists state leadership and associations by monitoring threats to the pawn industry at the state and federal level. The GRC continuously monitors hundreds of documents weekly to uncover proposed legislation that could potentially have consequences for the pawn industry. State leadership is advised of any issues affecting individual state legislation.
The NPA employs a GRC legislative team, including a lobbyist, who actively meets with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to educate them about how pawn works and why pawn matters to millions of Americans seeking short-term non-recourse lending options.
The GRC team works regularly to develop activism materials empowering individual pawnbrokers to reach out proactively to their own legislative representatives. Activism materials and resources developed by the GRC help lawmakers better understand how pawn works and how pawn benefits their communities and constituents.
NPA Legal Defense Fund
The NPA Board of Directors has established the Legal Defense Fund which is utilized to support litigation and/or to fight legislation that ultimately could affect the pawn industry at a national level. Some examples of issues the fund was involved with include the pawn ticket tax and illegal confiscations of property.
Contact the GRC
The GRC team at the NPA has an open door, available to answer questions and receive feedback 24/7. Contact the GRC team by sending an email to:
Cliff Andrews
Managing Principal CapCity Advocates Washington, DC
Cliff Andrews has 20 years of experience serving as a chief advocate and advisor to association clients on public policy, public relations, and mission-focused association management in an ever-changing political and economic landscape. Cliff works in a bipartisan manner before Congress, regulators, and private sector stakeholder groups on a variety of policy issues, including small-dollar lending regulation. Cliff works tirelessly to make sure that key lawmakers are educated on the vital role pawn plays in the communities of America. His work is key to shaping the perception of pawn at the highest levels. Throughout his career, one of Cliff’s greatest strengths has been his ability to engage constructively with diverse people in building productive, lasting relationships. Paramount to his success is a focus on accountability, diplomacy, consistently demonstrating competency on pertinent issues, and establishing trust. He is a true “Washingtonian,” born and raised in the nation’s capital. Cliff lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, daughter, son, and Alaskan Malamute.
Lisa Little
GRC Chair,
Fieldstone Jewelry & Pawn
Conyers, GA
Lisa Little has been a passionate member of the pawn industry since 1987 and was the first woman in the nation to become a Certified Pawn Professional®. After attending the University of Georgia, she and her father co-founded a chain of four pawn shops, along with numerous other businesses. In 2013, Lisa became CEO and Managing Member of all of the family businesses. In her spare time Lisa loves spending time with her daughters, Victoria and Alexandria, homeschooling, traveling, and serving as a Bible class teacher and youth education coordinator. She also loves genealogy, Agatha Christie and all things Jane Austen.
GRC Committee
