The mission of PINE's Government Affairs Department is to serve members with a strong voice before elected state and federal officials, and governmental regulators whose policies and practices affect printing and graphic communications companies.

Staff monitors proposed legislation in state legislatures across New England, and we aggressively work to repeal laws that create unfair and unnecessary financial burdens for our member companies.

PINE was a leading voice to oppose and defeat legislation that sought to regulate the flow of direct advertising mail to consumers through state controlled mailing lists. Once legislators were educated about the negative economic impact to businesses across a multitude of industries that rely on direct mail to sell their products and services, the legislation was defeated in New Hampshire and Vermont. Similar legislation in other New England states never made it to a committee vote, thanks in part to PINE's action.

Printers in Massachusetts benefit from a sales tax exemption on the purchase of prepress equipment and related supplies. Since PINE championed that effort in 2000, the association has saved Massachusetts printers an estimated $50 million.

On the federal level, we work closely with colleagues at Printing Industries of America in Washington D.C. to keep members at home informed about proposed legislation in Congress that affects members’ ability to operate businesses.

Staff also organizes face-to-face meetings with legislators, either at their offices, or by coordinating tours at member companies’ facilities. Our intent is to help legislators understand the issues business owners face each day.

We facilitate grass roots support by members through letter writing and telephone call campaigns to elected officials.