2018 Voters Guide

#VoteTheOutdoors

Introduction   |    Endorsement Criteria   |   Watchworthy Races   |    State and Local Ballot Measures   |   OIA Scorecard


WE DID IT

#VoteTheOutdoors was an unprecedented success!

  • We reached 14 million Americans
  • 3,000 social posts circulated
  • 20 of our 23 endorsed candidates won
  • 5 of 6 ballot measure recommendations prevailed

While the election is over, there remains much to do. OIA’s Government Affairs team will be working hard to advocate for policy that keeps our industry healthy. On occasion, we will be asking for your help. Lean in and join us on votetheoutdoorsaf.org – we will keep you up to date on all you can do in 2019 and in 2020.


Strength in Numbers

The numbers speak for themselves. The outdoor industry employs more than 7.6 million Americans, generates more than $887 billion in consumer spending and accounts for 2 percent of the United States GDP. Outdoor Industry Association strives to increase participation, help advance sustainable business practices and shape public policy. We need the right people in power to support our goals.


Feel the Power

Your vote matters. Stay informed—and not just before elections. And hold the candidates accountable. Be the difference.

Endorsement Criteria


Outdoor Industry Association supports candidates running for elected office in the United States who meet the following criteria:

  • Recreation Economy: Recognize the size, scope and impact of the Outdoor Recreation Economy in their respective district and state as well as at the federal level; legislate and vote in a manner that supports the $887 billion in consumer spending and 7.6 million sustainable American jobs generated by the Outdoor Recreation Economy.
  • Public Lands: Stand up for the conservation of state and federal public lands and waters; fight for conservation and infrastructure funding; work to make the outdoors accessible to everyone.
  • Trade: Support balanced trade initiatives including federal tariff reform that relieve outdoor businesses of disproportionately high import taxes, support businesses that manufacture their products domestically, and support policies that promote sustainable products and supply chains.
  • Climate: Acknowledge the threat of climate change to our public lands and waters and to the Outdoor Recreation Economy and seek policies that seek to mitigate the effects of global warming.

Watchworthy Races


We’ve selected 34 Races to Watch, which not only affect local constituents but could also impact federal and state outdoor recreation policies. We’ve also included Consumer Spending numbers in candidates’ districts and states to show the (often overlooked) extent of the Outdoor Recreation Economy. We’ve indicated 13 official OIA Endorsements for those candidates we feel will make a difference in the legislative balance of power and in how recreation and trade policy is shaped on the local and national level.

In addition to this resource, make sure to review the OIA Scorecard Grades. They’re a quick-scan summation of how much a candidate (if he or she is a current sitting member of Congress) has supported issues critical to growing the Outdoor Recreational Economy.

KEY

endorsed OIA Endorsed
oppose OIA Opposes
grade OIA Scorecard Grade
industry friend Friend of the Industry Award
open seat Open Seat Race

Political Party Colors: democrat Democrat, independent Independent, libertarian Libertarian, republican Republican, republican United Utah Party

Gubernatorial

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

GEORGIA

IDAHO

MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

NEW MEXICO

OHIO

SENATE RACES

FLORIDA

MONTANA

NEW MEXICO

UTAH

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ARIZONA 3rd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

COLORADO 2nd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

COLORADO 3rd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

FLORIDA 26th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

IDAHO 2nd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

MASSACHUSETTS 6th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

MINNESOTA 3rd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

MONTANA AT LARGE
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

NEW YORK 21st
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

NEW YORK 24th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

OHIO 15th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

OREGON 1st
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

OREGON 3rd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

TEXAS 8th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

UTAH 1st
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

UTAH 3rd
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

UTAH 4th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

VIRGINIA 8th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

WASHINGTON 1st
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

WASHINGTON 8th
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Additional Election Information


Races by Political Party




Didn’t See Your Race Above?

You can find races and ballot initiatives in your area here.





Spread the Word

Help us educate the industry, colleagues, friends and family by sharing this guide and the OIA Scorecard on social. Simply download the toolkit and share.


Download Social Toolkit

State and Local Ballot Measures


State of Colorado Amendment 74


Key Provisions of the Measure:

• Constitutional change requiring state or local governments to compensate private-property owners if a law or regulation is ever passed that reduces the “fair market value” of private property.


Why OIA Opposes It: If passed, Amendment 74 would be the most extreme private-property law in the country, impacting state and local governments’ decisions about land use or protection, zoning requirements, development regulations and more. The measure could drastically increase how much taxpayer money state and local governments would expend to compensate private property owners, potentially diverting general funds away from other benefits such as recreation capital and access projects. The measure could limit local communities’ ability to regulate land-use decisions that would benefit the recreation economy. The Colorado constitution already requires fair compensation for private property owners when regulations impact their land use or the land’s value. Amendment 74 is too broadly written, doesn’t account for public health and safety benefits of some state and local regulations, and could have unintended consequences hampering or hurting local communities.


More Information: https://no74.co


Chaffee County, Colorado Ballot Issue 1A: Strengthening Forest Health, Conserving and Supporting Working Ranches and Farms and Rural Landscapes, and Managing the Impacts of Growth Measure

Key Provisions of the Measure:

• Implements a general .25-percent sales-and-use tax, in perpetuity

• Revenue generated by this tax will help:

• strengthen forest health to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and the resulting impacts on communities, water quality, habitat and economy;

• conserve and support working ranches, farms and rural landscapes to protect water quality and quantity and wildlife habitat; and

• balance the impacts of growth and increased recreation to protect trails, campsites, rivers and streams

• Estimated revenue generation in its first year is $1.2 million


Why OIA Supports It: Chaffee County is part of Colorado’s 5th Congressional District, which generates $2.14 billion in annual spending on outdoor recreation, and is represented by Rep. Doug Lamborn. With world-class hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, and skiing, Chaffee County has made many investments in recreation infrastructure without any dedicated funding for capital or maintenance. This steady stream of funding in a growing central-Colorado county will allow Chaffee to address the threats of wildfire, sprawl, and overuse, while conserving land, maintaining trails and access, and protecting the scenic views that define the county.


More Information: http://thisischaffee.org


City and County of Denver, Colorado, Referred Measure 2A: Parks, Trails and Open Space Tax


Key Provisions of the Measure:

• Implements a general .25-percent sales-and-use tax, in perpetuity

• Revenue generated by the tax increase will be invested in:

• improving parks, including Denver’s mountain parks, open space and trails;

• restoring and protecting waterways, rivers, canals and streams;

• purchasing, planting and maintaining trees; ;

• acquiring new land for parks, open space and trails; and;

• operating and maintaining additional acquisitions and capital improvements;

• Estimated revenue generation in its first year is $45 million


Why OIA Supports It: Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the City and County of Denver, generates $2.1 billion in outdoor recreation spending. Thanks in part to its natural amenities, recreation infrastructure and quality of life, Denver’s population is growing. So too is the maintenance backlog in the city and county’s wide-ranging recreation infrastructure. Yet Denver is one of the only counties in Colorado’s Front Range without a dedicated funding source for its parks, trails and natural areas, so it is missing out on opportunities for matching state and federal funds. In order to ensure all Denver residents and visitors have access to its iconic and beloved parks and rivers and to prevent long-term ballooning expenses to the taxpayers over time, the City and County need this dedicated stream of funding.


More Information: https://yesfordenverparks.org


Georgia’s Amendment 1: Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Amendment


Key Provisions of The Measure

• Not a tax increase

• For a term of 10 years, a portion of an already-existing sales tax on outdoor recreation products will be allocated to projects that:

• protect lands critical to clean drinking water,

• acquire and improve parks and trails, and

• maintain and improve access to wildlife management areas

• Estimated revenue generation is $20 million annually


Why OIA Supports It: Georgia’s Outdoor recreation economy generates $27 billion in consumer spending annually and 238,000 jobs. Outdoor Industry Association endorsed the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act (HB 332) and ushered it through the Georgia legislature. The bill will promote further investment in the outdoors that will grow our industry while supporting healthy lifestyles in local communities. It does so without raising taxes, creating fees or putting any additional burden on retailers.


More Information: https://www.georgiaoutdoorstewardship.org


Missoula County, Montana: Open Space General Obligation Bond


Key Provisions of the Measure:

• $15 million general obligation bond

• Bond revenue will be invested in:

• Conserving, enjoying and enhancing open-space land, to include providing public access to water and land;

• Conserving agricultural lands, fish and wildlife habitat, and rivers, lakes and streams;

• Protecting scenic views; and

• o Improving lands acquired or designated as open space that are accessible to the public.

• Estimated revenue generation is $1 billion annually


Why OIA Supports It: Missoula is the second-largest county in Montana, which generates $7.1 billion in annual spending on outdoor recreation. Missoula passed an open-space bond in 2006 that protected over 15,000 acres of land (including the purchase and protection of Mount Jumbo) and over 40 river miles. For every dollar invested, 4 dollars were leveraged through other funding sources.


More Information: https://www.yesforopenspace.org


Washington Initiative 1631: Carbon Emissions Fee Measure


Key Provisions of the Measure:

• Implements a $15/ton carbon fee on the state’s largest polluters

• Fee will increase $2/ton (plus inflation) per year and will be capped in 2035

• Revenues generated by the fee will be invested toward:

• energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, clean transportation, and carbon sequestration;

• increasing Washington’s resiliency to the impacts of climate change on the state’s forests and waters;

• programs assisting tribal communities and others highly impacted by wildfires, sea-level rise and other impacts of climate change

• Estimated revenue generation is $1 billion annually


Why OIA Supports It: Washington’s $26.2 billion outdoor recreation economy relies on the state’s clean air and water. I-1631 will help Washington transition to a renewable energy future while investing directly in the state’s forests and waters in order to make them more resilient to climate-change events, including wildfires.


More Information: http://develop.outdoorindustry.org/article/washington-initiative-1631-protect-washington-act/

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