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State Government Relations
The firm’s principals have been directly involved, both as senior appointed officials in state and local government and as professional lobbyists, in a significant number of major public policy decisions in Arizona since 1990.
The firm approaches the legislative process with a strong emphasis in stakeholder management of both proponents and opponents alike. It has often been said that the there are no secrets in the legislative arena. Accordingly, the firm recognizes this well tested maxim and focuses on an inclusive method to develop support and manage opposition.
Whenever possible, the firm develops coalitions with other impacted parties in an effort to broaden the support of diverse interests and legislators.
Understanding the importance of communication, the firm provides constant communication to clients about the status of legislation in the form of both written and verbal reports. Recognizing the political value of maintaining a strong legislative presence on behalf of our clients, the firm strives to participate in all critical meetings and provide timely reports on the outcome of such discussions.
In addition to providing clients with a weekly legislative tracking report, which highlights matters of direct interest to the client, the firm also provides an annual report on all legislative issues that may have, or potentially have, an impact on the client’s interests.
Depending on the issue, the firm has the capacity to expand the traditional approach of interpersonal lobbying by deploying community outreach efforts to targeted constituencies and legislators. Such strategies may include, but not necessarily limited to, direct mail, telephone banks, “call to action e-mails” and other grass roots related approaches intended to illustrate the community’s support or opposition to a particular piece of legislation or legislative action.
Since 1990, the firm’s principals have worked at the Arizona Legislature and have developed and maintained key relationships with legislators, legislative staff, executive agencies, gubernatorial staff and lobbying colleagues to provide a comprehensive approach to meet the needs of the client.
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Municipal Government Relations
Both of the firm’s principals have served as senior appointed officials within municipal government in Arizona. As local governments in Arizona operate under a city manager form of government, the firm understands the significant role that municipal staff has in the decision making process in municipal government in Arizona.
While working with the elected officials is an important element to lobbying at the municipal level, the firm recognizes the undisputed influence that management has on the overall outcome of municipal government decision making. The firm spends considerable time and resources in developing new contacts while simultaneously enhancing existing relationships with senior staff, many of whom the principals have worked with during their respective tenure in municipal government.
Understanding the importance of communication, the firm provides constant communication to clients about the status of ordinances or municipal actions in the form of both written and verbal reports. Recognizing the political value of maintaining a strong municipal presence on behalf of our clients, the firm strives to participate in all critical meetings and provide timely reports on the outcome of such discussions.
Depending on the issue, the firm has the capacity to expand the traditional approach of interpersonal lobbying by deploying community outreach efforts to targeted constituencies and council members. Such strategies may include, but not necessarily limited to, direct mail, telephone banks, “call to action e-mails” and other grass roots related approaches intended to illustrate the community’s support or opposition to a particular ordinance or municipal action.
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Community Outreach
Recognizing the significant impacts that public opinion can have in the government decision making process, the firm has established effective techniques in mobilizing communities an other impacted parties to apply the appropriate pressure, at the right time, in the public affairs process. By implementing community outreach, coalition building and grassroots mobilization efforts, in conjunction with traditional lobbying approaches, an organization can ultimately shape public policy by managing public opinion.
As each client and corresponding issue are different, similarly, each community relations plan must also take into account the specific courses of action needed to appropriately impact the governmental decision.
Whenever possible, the firm works with the client early on in the process and uses sound research to assess the political environment for the issue and develop a customized plan of action in mobilizing the community relations component to maximize the client’s potential for success.
The firm’s principals collectively have been involved in more than two decades in the public affairs arena and have built strong and lasting relationships with elected and appointed governmental officials across the state. In addition to the familiarity with state, regional and local government officials, the firm’s principals have worked with hundreds of interest groups and community leaders who also play a large part in shaping public opinion and public policy. Our firm has a unique ability to tap into these existing community resources to assist clients in building a coalition approach to resolving their public affairs issues.
As an added component to engaging community leaders, stakeholders and high efficacy voters to communicate a client’s message to elected and appointed officials, the firm also assists the client in more effectively mobilizing their own built in constituencies and supporters, (vendors, customers, colleagues, employees, recipients of philanthropy efforts) to influence the desired public policy outcome.
The firm uses a multitude of strategies and tactics to amass and mobilize the appropriate community relations efforts. While new techniques are always being developed, the following list represents methods that have been used to date by the firm:
- Scientific Polling and Research
- Direct Mail
- Phone Banks
- “Blast Fax” Alerts
- Door-to-Door Solicitation
- Petition Gathering
- Billboards
- Electronic Bulletins and “Calls To Action”
- Website Development and Management
- Newspaper Advertising
- Electronic Advertising
- Media Relations
- Speakers’ Bureau Training and Implementation
- Community Meetings
- Political Rallies
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Political Campaign Consulting
Recognizing that many public policy issues are ultimately resolved at the ballot box, as opposed to being decided at City Hall or Arizona Legislature, the firm provides a wide range of services in the area of political campaign consulting.
The principals have significant experience and proven results in all aspects of political campaigns, including: development and implementation of effective vote-by-mail programs, development and implementation of direct voter contact programs (direct mail, phone bank, electronic mail, door-to-door contact, etc.), grass-roots mobilization, speakers’ bureau training, fundraising and general campaign management.
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