Your State and Local Government Specialists

Case Studies

1. Outreach Efforts to the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) on Behalf of a Federal Agency Client
2. Grasstops Support for Federal Legislation
3. Led State Regulation and Licensing Initiative for Healthcare Client
4. Supported Healthcare Association’s Efforts to Amend National Model Legislation
5. Passed Legislation to Correct Antiquated Restrictions on Marketings of “Out of State” Homes
6. Creation of an Executive Committee Task Force at NCSL to Address Sustainability Issues
7. Supporting Outreach Efforts to Native American Communities
8. Supported Public Sector Sales Program for Corporate Client
9. Manage State Government Relations Program for Healthcare Manufacturing Coalition

Outreach Efforts to the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) on Behalf of a Federal Agency Client

Stateside coordinated an outreach effort with the goal of improving the working relationship between the federal agency and the state environmental commissioners who are members of ECOS by:

• Creating a state/federal Work Group to address issues of mutual interest.
• Using the Work Group to develop tangible solutions to these mutual issues, such as a white paper dispelling myths surrounding internal workings of the federal agency as it relates to spending funds for cleanup; a protocol for a coordinated state/federal response to the media when a new contaminant is discovered; and a guidance document outlining a process for determining cleanup levels for newly-discovered contaminants.
• Securing full support of the process and work product of the Work Group through the ECOS resolution process.

Result--- Improved working relationship with environmental commissioners while developing solutions to complex problems.

Grasstops Support for Federal Legislation

Stateside developed and executed a strategy to support additional funding for a federal program by obtaining a Governors’ sign-on letter. 

Result--- A Governors’ sign-on letter with 36 signatures and the passage of additional funding legislation.

Led State Regulation and Licensing Initiative for Healthcare Client

Stateside Associates managed an effort to secure more favorable treatment of a client’s health-related profession in state regulation by:

• Producing a report detailing the current licensing and education accreditation standards for the client in all 50 states.
• Identifying key state licensing opportunities for client comment and participation.
• Leading recruitment efforts for vacancies on a local professional board.
• Drafting client comments and amendments for rulemakings and legislation.
• Obtaining regulatory agency support for amendments to legislation creating a new professional license.
• Representing the client on an initial rulemaking advisory committee for a new state license. Stateside also secured the appointment for the client.   

Result--- Increased visibility of client licensing issues on professional board agendas leading to favorable rule amendments.

Supported Healthcare Association’s Efforts to Amend National Model Legislation

Stateside Associates supported a healthcare association client’s successful efforts to amend national model legislation by:

• Representing the client at meetings of a national state officials’ policy group.
• Providing a survey and analysis of existing state statutes and rules addressing the policy issue.
• Coordinating communications with industry allies and opposition stakeholders.
• Drafting substitute model legislation and representing the client on the policy group drafting committee.
• Vetting amendment language with policy group and client association members. 

Result--- Model law language adopted by a national state officials’ policy group leading to favorable state legislation enacted the following session.

Passed Legislation to Correct Antiquated Restrictions on Marketings of “Out of State” Homes

A few states retain restrictions on the marketing and sales of subdivisions in other states.  Born out of the land scams of the 1960’s – a few state laws survive that make it impossible for prospective customers to obtain any information from builders about housing developments.

Stateside Associates was retained to manage a project to change the remaining state laws and make home buying easier.

Working in two states, Stateside:

• Researched current laws, regulations and enforcement policies to confirm the current status of the law.
• Retained lobbyists in two states on behalf of the client.
• Produced collateral material for the campaign, which was customized for each state.
• Used Groups meetings to reach out to state legislative leaders and attorneys general about the proposed changes.
• Assisted in the development of legislative language.
• Managed negotiations with state regulators and other state players on behalf of the client.
• Drafted testimony and arranged for witnesses at legislative hearings.

Result--- New laws supported by the client were passed in two states.

Creation of an Executive Committee Task Force at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to Address Sustainability Issues

Stateside Associates coordinated an outreach effort with a federal agency client to raise awareness among state legislators, legislative staff and other state policymakers about land compatibility and sustainability issues and conservation strategies regarding certain federal facilities and the communities neighboring these facilities.

• Working closely with NCSL legislative leadership, Stateside created an Executive Committee Task Force to raise awareness among NCSL members and other state policymakers about these problems.
• Stateside is working closely with Task Force members and its federal client to develop positions on sustainability issues (on behalf of NCSL).
• Stateside has identified successful model programs and model legislation for use by the states.
• Stateside helped to design military facility and range tours for Task Force members and local community leaders.   

Result--- The inaugural meeting in Texas was attended by over 40 legislators from around the country.  The work with the Task Force has helped to improve working relationships with state legislators and to increase awareness about federal facility sustainability challenges both caused by the federal facilities and by growing urban encroachment around these facilities.  The work is ongoing.

Supporting Outreach Efforts to Native American Communities

Stateside Associates helped a national agricultural technology client increase its outreach to Native American and indigenous people communities.  The client sought a far-reaching, but economical approach to outreach in order to reach these communities and their leadership around the country. 

• Leveraging state officials Groups meetings and other policy forums, Stateside facilitated meetings between its client and the state legislative leaders from these communities. 
• Stateside identified a fledgling caucus of state legislators representing Native American and indigenous people communities and helped the client engage with the caucus. 
• Stateside worked with the client to develop messages and communications strategies targeted at the Native American and indigenous people communities.
• Stateside arranged for the participation of its client at the caucus’ meetings and other Native American forums to educate members about its industry.

Result---  While the outreach efforts are ongoing, many strained relationships with specific leaders have been bridged, tensions over high profile issues in two states have been reduced, additional communication channels with community leaders have been created and several industry champions have been developed.

Supported Public Sector Sales Program for Corporate Client

Stateside designed and coordinated a Groups outreach effort designed to introduce a new online payment solution for state and local governments.  Stateside Associates:

• Evaluated the state and local officials Groups and selected several to work with to advance the client’s goals.
• Developed a Groups Advocacy plan for the client that included memberships, messaging and targeted outreach.

Result--- The Groups outreach effort has resulted in numerous sales leads and new business opportunities for the client.  As a collateral benefit, several political organizations and individual candidate campaigns are now utilizing the online payment solution and are recommending it to their, and other, candidates.

Manage State Government Relations Program for Healthcare Manufacturing Coalition

Stateside assists in managing the state government relations program for a healthcare manufacturing coalition.  Stateside Associates:

• Developed a strategic plan for the state program.
• Monitors state legislation for priority issues.
• Coordinates planning calls with members.
• Coordinates advocacy efforts in the states.
• Supports advocacy efforts at state officials Groups meetings.
• Recommends lobbyists.
• Prepares testimony and comments letters to policymakers and legislative and regulatory committees and forums. 

Result--- The coalition has increased its profile among state officials and has been successful in defending against legislation adverse to its industry.