State Government Relations Network Newsletter – November

In this final 2020 edition of our newsletter, we are pleased to share additional resources and events to help you start next year strong, such as free webinars, a Regulatory Advocacy Bootcamp and a Managing Contract Lobbyists Workshop. This newsletter also includes a report on the 2020 State and Local Government Relations Conference and a guest article about a recent legislative success in Ohio that many of us can get behind: making to-go-cocktails permanent! Read on to find out more about the tactics that made this legislative victory possible.

By David Wojnar, Vice President, State Government Relations
Ainsley Holyfield, Manager, Advocacy Communications
Distilled Spirits Council 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) signed legislation (HB 669) in October permanently allowing restaurants and bars to offer cocktails to-go. Ohio is now the second state to do so since the onset of the pandemic. Cocktails to-go have been a vital economic lifeline for hospitality businesses struggling to cope with the harsh financial impacts of COVID-19. Making these measures permanent provides stability in uncertain times.

What’s on the horizon for states that set trends? Don’t miss our upcoming webinar, Influential State Deep Dives: California and Washington State Edition. Happening November 16 from 2-3 p.m., this program is perfect for professionals who work in these states or who handle a multi-state portfolio and are looking to stay ahead of policy trends. Experts will walk you through what you need to know to run successful state government relations programs in these two highly influential and active West Coast states. This webinar is the first of several on influential states. Be on the lookout for additional programming. Thanks to our program sponsor FSB!

It’s been a year of change and uncertainty, which made our 2020 Virtual State and Local Government Relations Conference even more valuable. It was encouraging to see so many SGR practitioners come together to share ideas and solutions. We had record-breaking attendance, with over 300 total registrants! This number well surpassed our previous record attendance of 200 attendees. Another huge thank you to all the speakers, sponsors and attendees who participated.

The conference featured 23 speakers sharing their insights and expertise, with some of our most popular sessions featuring state legislators giving their insights on how COVID-19 is changing state government relations, seasoned lobbyists sharing how to work with new legislatures, and more.

We look forward to the 2021 State and Local Conference being even better and bigger! Interested in joining the 2021 SLGR Advisory Committee to help make that happen? Email [email protected] to find out more!

The SGR Network Resource Library

Did you see? The SGR Network Resource Library on Council Connect has passed 50 items! Highlights include a living statehouse public access map (which will be invaluable in 2021 as states go back and forth with their opening status), sample state advocacy toolkits, advocacy 2020 summaries, and more under the State Government Relations Network page beneath the Community tab in Council Connect. Log in with your Council credentials at community.pac.org. Have other resources you think can help network members? Email them to us!

Latest Public Affairs Council Surveys

Want to see what European government relations professionals are saying about the future of lobbying in light of the pandemic? Read the “Lobbying through the Pandemic: Is Digital Advocacy the New Normal?” report here.

As you’re creating your 2021 government relations plans, you should take into account “What Americans Think About Business.” Check out the 2020 Public Affairs Pulse Survey here.

Job Board

Looking for your next opportunity? Don’t forget the Public Affairs Council job board features hundreds of government relations opportunities, and is always being updated. We’re happy to extend benefits to members of our Council family that are between public affairs jobs and support you in your job search however we can. Visit the job board here or contact our membership team to learn about our Friends and Family program.

Workshop: State Regulatory Advocacy Bootcamp |November 17, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET|
Rulemaking is an essential part of the lawmaking process, and often overlooked as an important advocacy tool at the state level. Every state handles the regulatory process differently! Join us to hear strategies for navigating this complex but increasingly important landscape. Can’t make it? The recording will be available for 14 days following the event.

Webinar: Influential State Deep Dives: Florida and Virginia Edition
|December 3, 2 – 3 p.m. ET|
Free! Our experts will walk you through what you need to know to run successful state government relations programs in these two highly influential and active southern states. Free for members! Attend live or to receive the recording.

Workshop: Hiring and Managing Contract Lobbyists
|December 10, 2 – 4:15 p.m. ET|
Last SGR event of the year! Hiring a consultant lobbyist is a significant financial investment and can put your reputation on the line. Often, finding the right firm or practitioner for you can be a complex task. We’ll help you prepare for a successful 2021 by walking you through the ins and outs of hiring, assessing and managing contract lobbyists. Recording available for 14 days.