Amusement & Music Operators Association

On Wednesday of this week, representatives of the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) traveled to Washington, D.C., for a series of meetings with legislators and staff.

According to John Russell, a member of Dentons' Public Policy and Regulation Group headquartered in the nation's capital, the focus in this week's meetings was to "highlight the constituent nexus, reinforce the message of a need to retool the tax code to favor small businesses over the 'Fortune 100,' with special attention paid to reforming the S-Corps designation, and continue to reach out to those in the Senate who have co-sponsored Senator Rockefeller's legislation to study the effect of video game violence and educate them of the Parental Advisory System that both Associations have had in place for close to 20 years."

Today, I autographed 52 $1,000 checks, each made payable to an institution of higher learning. Maggie, who has been overseeing the Wayne E. Hesch Scholarship Program for the past 7 years, inserted a letter with the check, stuffed 'em in envelopes, applied proper postage and sent them on their way to the recipients of this year's initiative.

This marks the closing act of the 2012-2013 Hesch program, which was another resounding success.

It's a year-round program, and fundraising is already in full swing for the 2013-2014 Scholarship effort.

Last week, we announced plans to repeat the special early-bird drawing this year, whereby two individuals who have purchased Hesch raffle tickets before Sept. 9 will each win a $500 cash prize.