December 27, 2012 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our January and February 2013 calendar. Say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
January 29-30, 2013 GOVERNING’s Outlook in the States & Localities Conference 2013: The Power of States and Localities,
Washington, D.C.
February 5-8, 2013 Public Affairs Council National Grassroots Conference, Key West, Florida
February 22-25, 2013 National Governors Association Winter Meeting Washington, D.C.
November 27, 2012 •
Elizabeth Bartz Presents Public Affairs Council Webinar
Part Two of State Procurement Series
Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, is presenting the second installment of the Public Affairs Council’s State Procurement Webinar Series. The webinar, “Procurement Prospects: Learning to lobby for government contracts,” will take place today from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EST.
Bartz will be speaking on state pay-to-play laws, the effective elements of a pay-to-play compliance program, and current trends in procurement.
According to the Public Affairs Council website:
Not adhering to the rules and regulations for acquiring government contracts could put your entire business at risk. Many of the laws for compliance in the procurement process differ from those commonly followed in other areas of government relations. Part two of this three-part series will cover how to build a sustainable state procurement compliance strategy and how to legally interact with government officials.
October 2, 2012 •
One Minute With … Elizabeth Bartz
The Public Affairs Council had an informal visit with Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Inc.
Your favorite movie about politics or business?
I really liked All the President’s Men because of the history it presented. I liked Wall Street, which showed me how bad it could be if I wanted to be a mean businessperson, so I am trying to do the opposite. I work for the good guys.
Books that influenced your understanding of the work you do?
PAC Power: Inside the World of Political Action Committees, by Larry J. Sabato, and Politics and Money: The New Road to Corruption, by Elizabeth Drew. I read them when I was first getting started in this profession and I wanted to learn more about PACs. They gave me a good foundation in how this world works.
A president you admire?
I could say something safe like George Washington, but I really admire Bill Clinton. I was living by myself in Alexandria, Va., when he gave his acceptance speech. I loved what he said about believing in hope. I remember jumping up and down in my apartment screaming with approval. I also admire what he accomplished. I like what he did to reform welfare. Thanks to programs his administration established, I was able to sell my house in Alexandria and buy one back in Ohio. I was able to sell the house in Alexandria to a woman who was getting off welfare. She was able to buy it for $2,000 down. I was thrilled to do that. I also admire AmeriCorps. My daughter participated in Teach for America, which is part of AmeriCorps. That’s a great program.
Business leaders you admire?
Steve Jobs, though I wouldn’t want to emulate everything he did. But like Bill Gates, he had a mind for business. He had a vision, and I am inspired by that in building my own company. There’s a big gulf between my company and Apple or Microsoft, but I can still keep working to make it better.
How are state budget problems affecting the public affairs profession?
Because the states are trying to raise revenues, they are looking at the lobbying profession and trying to raise registration fees. The registration fee in Ohio for years was $10. Now it is $25. There was an effort in Illinois to raise it to $1,000. It is now $300 there. That might not sound like a lot of money, but when you realize that a lot of companies have multiple registrations, it adds up. It makes companies think seriously about whether they should register. It’s going to have a big impact on this profession.
On the policy side?
Pay-to-play is a big issue. The procurement process is changing as states try to make sure there is not a connection between a contribution and a contract.
What’s on your iPod?
I have two iPads, and iPod, one iPhone, one Droid, a MacBook and a laptop. So I’m too connected. But musically, I’m all ‘70s, but no disco. That means Carly Simon, James Taylor, late Beatles. I had Carol King’s Tapestry on an eight-track tape player, if you remember what those were. I just moved it to my iPod. Also, I liked Fleetwood Mac even before they performed at Clinton’s inaugural.
This visit was courtesy of the Public Affairs Council’s October 2012 Impact newsletter.
September 11, 2012 •
See Us in Person!
Here is our September calendar. Say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
September 6-7, 2012 Practising Law Institute, Washington, D.C.
September 12, 2012 United Way of Summit County Cornhole Tournament, Lock 3, Akron, OH
September 19-21, 2012 PAC State and Local Government Seminar, Washington, D.C.
The Public Affairs Council surprises us with a gift!
Delicately wrapped treats in a wicker basket laced by a gold ribbon arrived in a package outside the offices of State and Federal Communications yesterday. Along with the treat basket came a small card that read: A Special Gift…Just for You!
The Public Affairs Council congratulated State and Federal Communications on winning the Ready, Set, Walk challenge by sending a basket of treats from Wine Country Gift Baskets on August 2nd.
President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz announced the arrival of the gift basket during the company staff meeting.
A special thank you to the Public Affairs Council for providing us with this wonderful surprise!
July 31, 2012 •
Ready, Set, Walk: The challenge is over!
The results are in for the walking challenge
After a one-week walking challenge between the Public Affairs Council and State and Federal Communications, the results have arrived at last!
Coming in first place with 1,771,196 steps, 23 employees at State and Federal Communications took the win, out-walking the Public Affairs Council by 129,967 steps.
The top 23 walkers at the Public Affairs Council reached 1,641,229, coming very close to victory. Both teams utilized their time and effort to improve their health and spark friendly competition.
Intern Maria Varonis of State and Federal Communications, who participated in the walking challenge, spoke of how this competition influenced her and all of the participants.
“The first day we didn’t have to wear our pedometers, something felt amiss at my hip….It was sort of sad since I realized I wasn’t contributing to anything anymore,” Varonis said. “Working as a team to obtain a common goal both of health and of victory is an amazing feeling. We should all be proud of ourselves. I know I am.”
July 27, 2012 •
Ready Set Walk Update
As the challenge comes to an end, the competition rises
With only three days left of the “Ready, Set, Walk” competition against the Public Affairs Council, employees at State and Federal Communications are eagerly setting aside time to increase their number of steps.
Walking with pedometers strapped to their sides, the employees of State and Federal Communications are focused on prevailing in the competition against their friendly rivals in Washington, DC.
We created a quick video as inspiration for the final three days of our challenge. Take a look!
Video produced by Joanna Kamvouris.
July 23, 2012 •
Ready, Set, Walk!
The Public Affairs Council challenges State and Federal Communications
In the midst of our employee walking challenge, State and Federal Communications has a new friendly rival.
Beginning July 23, the Public Affairs Council and State and Federal Communications will work up a sweat, taking part in a one week challenge called “Ready, Set, Walk” to promote wellness and stir up healthy competition.
Wearing pedometers to track their daily steps, 24 employees from each organization will aim to motivate their co-workers and accumulate the most steps by July 29. Both teams are giving their best effort to walk for the win.
Best of luck to all participants, and let the walking begin!
April 4, 2012 •
State and Federal April Photo Scrapbook
Enjoy this picture from the Public Affairs Council Grassroots Conference:
February 16, 2012 •
Here Comes the Compliance Dream Team!
The Compliance Dream Team is coming to the PAC National Conference in Orlando, Florida at the Universal Portofino Bay Resort February 27 – March 1.
Amol Naik from Google, Elizabeth Bartz of State and Federal Communications, Ken Gross from Skadden Arps, and Michael Toner from Wiley Rein will be making up the Compliance Dream Team.
Bring your compliance concerns. This is your opportunity to unleash all those difficult questions regarding compliance issues.
Don’t miss the Public Affairs Council National PAC Conference. See you there!
February 3, 2012 •
See Us in Person!
Plan to say hello at future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues.
February 7, 2012 NCSL Foundation Bi-Annual Luncheon, Washington, D.C.
February 17, 2012 Innovate to Motivate, Washington, D.C.
February 25 – February 27, 2012 National Governors Association Winter Meeting, Washington, D.C.
February 27 – March 1, 2012 National PAC Conference, Miami, Florida
February 3, 2012 •
State and Federal February Photo Scrapbook
from the Public Affairs Council Institute, in Laguna, California last month
February 3, 2012 •
Compliance Dream Team
ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY!
Appearing one time only at the Public Affair Council National PAC Conference is the Compliance Dream Team! I am extremely excited and honored to pair up with The Extra Honorable Ken Gross, The Mighty Honorable Michael Toner, and New Kid on The Block Amol Naik from Google to hear your confessions and questions.
This session will present a series of complicated and pertinent compliance questions to the panel for our expert response. There will also be an opportunity to submit anonymous compliance missteps for us to hear and provide corrective action.
This is bigger than Broadway…Larger than Hollywood. And, it will only happen on Tuesday, February 28th at Portofino Bay, Orlando, Florida. Join us at the Public Affairs Council National PAC Conference.
Looking forward to seeing you out and about!
Elizabeth Bartz
President and CEO, State and Federal Communications, Inc.
January 19, 2012 •
We’ll See You at PAC Grassroots!
State and Federal Communications will be attending the Public Affairs Council’s National Grassroots Conference in Miami Beach, Florida from January 30 until February 2, 2012. This year is the 35th anniversary and the theme of the conference is “Building Allies, Producing Champions.” We hope to see you there!
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
