A Mid-Year Update from the Network Co-Chairs
[vc_single_image image=”131533″]Abbie Evans
Vice President, Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships
MENTOR
The first six months of the 118th Congress have made a mark. In my last piece, I focused on the “new normal” in Congress and D.C. (post-insurrection and mid-recovery from the pandemic). This new normal, in my eyes, is marked by fewer reliable goalposts for funding negotiations, how or if policy priorities can advance in committees and both chambers of Congress, increased partisan battles, and the 2024 election creeping further into process, prioritization and negotiations. Check!
Like many of you, my organization and our partners in the nonprofit sector are laser focused on shoring up Congressional support for funding programs that could be significantly cut due to the debt ceiling deal and fiscal year 2024 funding negotiations: meetings, briefings, calls to action and preparing toolkits for our summer activations. We’re buoying the spirits of exhausted grassroots and program grantees, assuring them that their collective voices will make an impact on Congressional action. I believe that – I’ve seen it proven true again and again. But I understand why many of them are feeling pessimistic.
The same factors that make up what I see as the new normal within Congress are leaving a mark on advocacy groups and voters. There’s nothing new about having to come back to Congress again and again in support of our priorities. But this new normal in Congress makes lobbying and advocacy feel far less impactful, much more “political” and the consequences more dire.
This summer represents a critical time to bring more voices into our advocacy efforts. I’m sure the same is true for many of you. How can we motivate enough of them to speak up and act? What methods of persuasion and enthusiasm are working for you? Are there lessons the nonprofit sector can learn from our corporate GR peers? Whether I’m right about this new normal or not, Congress isn’t going anywhere. And neither are we.[/vc_toggle][lvca_spacer]
Kaylyn Tinsley
Director, State Government Relations
Global Payments
As many predicted, the first half of 2023 proved to be a very active state legislative season – and it does not appear the second half will be any different. It is always this time of year that I finally feel the storm is (mostly) over and there is a slight reprieve before the fall when meetings with lawmakers and policy staff resume, conferences are aplenty (including the Council’s awesome, must attend Government Relations & Policy Conference – be sure to register!) and we begin the process of trying to piece together what policy issues are likely to dominate the discussion in the states the following year.
However, this year has been unusually hectic, and I am still waiting for the summer reprieve. While most states are finally out of session, there are still a handful that are in session year-round, not to mention quite a long list of “study committees” that will undoubtedly keep most of us busy.
In addition to the unprecedented volume of state legislation introduced thus far, what was most surprising to me was the type of policy issues that bubbled up and received serious consideration at the state level. Sure, there were the usual policy matters that we are accustomed to seeing annually – tax, privacy, etc. But there were also several new policy issues that left many state government relations teams navigating somewhat challenging and often sensitive topics
Although we’re only halfway through 2023, it is clear there is still plenty of work ahead. That said, I hope we all get to enjoy part of the summer reprieve to unplug and recharge before jumping into interim activity and preparation for 2024.[/vc_toggle]
It Was Great Seeing You!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the recent Network happy hour. Despite the rainy weather, attendees enjoyed connecting with their government relations peers and Council staff. Stay tuned for the next Network event!
Professional Development Spotlight
[vc_single_image image=”131611″]Recently, the Council launched its Professional Development Spotlight, which features members sharing career insights, advice and a fun fact or two about themselves. This month the Spotlight is shining on Meaghan Joyce, director, political & advocacy strategy at International Paper.
Want to suggest someone for the Spotlight? Reach out to Anna Platt.
Register Today: Government Relations & Policy Conference!
[vc_single_image image=”131135″]In case you missed it, the Council is expanding its signature fall government relations event! We’re excited to broaden the scope of the conference to include local, state and federal government relations and are working on an exciting agenda and speaker lineup. Sessions will cover emerging issues in the profession as well as policy-specific discussions. The conference will take place September 20 – 22, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Registration is open, and we look forward to seeing you there!
What's Ahead
- Certificate Program Informational Webinar, July 12 – Learn about our Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying
- Virtual Workshop: Managing Contract Lobbyists and Consultants, July 18
- Summer Networking Happy Hour, July 26 – Members only
Government Relations resources, discussions and more can be found on Council Connect. This is a free platform for Council members. Learn how to access Council Connect.