All of the legislatures, even those that do not meet every year, are in session in 2011.  Thus, it is important to know the registration obligations for your lobbyists in all of the jurisdictions in which they will be active.  The most important pieces of information you need to know are whether they will need to register and when the registration will need to be filed.  Many jurisdictions have a threshold, based on expenditures, salary, or time spent lobbying, that needs to be crossed before registration is required.  Depending on your situation, you may not need to register if your lobbying activities will be minimal.  Many other jurisdictions, however, have no threshold and will require registration before or within a certain amount of time of your lobbyist engaging in lobbying.

This brings up an important point:  it is crucial that you understand what activities comprise lobbying in the jurisdiction.  A lobbyist may meet the definition of “lobbyist” before contact is even made with an official.  And do not forget that once registered, you will have ongoing reporting requirements.  Illinois and Georgia, in particular, will have more frequent reporting than in past years. (more…)

Alexandra Constantinou, who worked as an intern with Jim Sedor on our News You Can Use™ publication, attended the 108th Charity Ball for Akron Children’s Hospital. The event took place on December 28th, with the festivities including the presentation of 35 debutantes. The aim of the ball was to raise $100,000 for the hospital.

Alexandra interned at State and Federal Communications during the summer of 2009 and is currently studying in the Honors College at The Ohio State University.

Here is an Akron Beacon Journal article featuring the event.

Photo of Alexandra Constantinou and her family.

As we bid goodbye to 2010, we are also saying goodbye to Research Associate David Dobo, Esq. He is leaving to work for newly elected Congressman Jim Renacci.

Congressman-elect Renacci won the seat from Congressman John Boccieri who only had it for two years after Congressman Ralph Regula retired in 2008.

David came to State and Federal Communications after working as a District Aide for Congressman Regula. He is returning as a Constituent Service Representative for the 16^th District. His past 15 months at the company have helped us increase the information posted on our website.

We will miss his knowledge on government history.  We wish him all the best as he returns to a role that is in his DNA and that is helping people in Ohio.

State and Federal currently offers coverage for 187 municipalities, in addition to the 50 U.S. states, other U.S. jurisdictions, and Canada.

We have added six new jurisdictions for which our online clients will find comprehensive, timely, and accurate information that includes: complete calendar of reporting deadlines; critical statutory citations; extensive directories of contact information; summaries of each state law; detailed reference charts on goods and services contributions; highlights of every statute; copies of all required forms; and much more.

The new jurisdictions are:

• Bridgeport, CT
• Huntsville, AL
• Provo, UT
• Rockford, IL
• West Valley City, UT
• Winston-Salem, NC

The image of North America by Bosonic dressing on Wikipedia.

As we looked into the new year, we noticed we have a busy schedule in the next few months! Here is a list of the future events where State and Federal Communications will be attending and/or speaking regarding compliance issues. If you are attending any of these conferences, please come and say hello. We would love to see you!

January 9-13, 2011                  PAC Public Affairs Institute, Laguna Beach, California

January 13, 2011                      WASRG Welcome Reception, Washington, D.C.

January 25-28, 2011               PAC Grassroots Conference, Key West, Florida

February 1-2, 2011                   Governing Outlook in the States, Washington, D.C.

February 8-10, 2011                 Innovate to Motivate, San Antonio, Texas

February 22-25, 2011              PAC PAC Conference, Miami, Florida

March 30-April 1, 2011            SGAC Annual Meeting, Austin, Texas

April 3-5, 2011                            NASPO, Boston, Massachusetts

Here at State and Federal Communications, we have many things for which we are thankful. As we begin to wrap up the day and go home, we would like to thank you for following Lobby Comply. We have had a great year and look forward to giving our very best service in 2011.

Health and happiness to you and your families in 2011.

From all of us at State and Federal Communications, we wish you Happy Holidays!

Photo of the wreath by Kevin Kahle on Wikipedia.

State and Federal Communications, Inc. had a month-long gift wrapping fundraiser to benefit the United Way of Summit County.  Promoted as “giving YOU the gift of time” employees in the building brought their unwrapped gifts to be expertly wrapped and returned ready to be put under the tree.

Packages of all sizes and shapes came through the doors and the elves tackled each corner to impress.  Participants of the fundraiser made personal donations to the United Way.  All donations were matched by State and Federal Communications and were forwarded to United Way.

Happy Holidays.

On December 15, State and Federal Communications celebrated the season with an office holiday extravaganza! It began with an eclectic array of sushi, pulled pork, and brisket, and beverages and desserts to please any palate. Before long, though, the time for camaraderie was over and claws came out during the fast-paced treasure hunt and controversial Ethics Jeopardy, both of which pitted departments against each other in a quest for prizes.

All participants in the cubicle decorating contest received prizes for their efforts, and the winner was awarded first possession of what will become our traveling trophy—an authentic leg lamp, straight from “A Christmas Story” (which was filmed in our neighbor to the north, Cleveland, back in the ‘80’s). The day ended with the finals of our second annual Cornhole Tournament.

While we took the time to celebrate another successful year, State and Federal remained true to our philosophy of giving back and remembering it’s never all about us. For the second year in a row, our aforementioned activities were “pay-to-play,” with all non-perishable items collected going to the Greater Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

All of us at State and Federal Communications wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

State and Federal Communications, Inc. was recently honored as one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies! Weatherhead 100, the organization offering the award, has a mission to be “a venue for encouraging the truest spirit of entrepreneurialism and rewarding those companies that serve as a beacon to all businesses in Northeast Ohio.” At a time of economic difficulties, we are thrilled to be one of the companies receiving this award.

On Tuesday, December 7, Weatherhead 100 held a black-tie gala event to honor the companies for their achievement. State and Federal Communications President and CEO Elizabeth Bartz was in attendance.

We would like to express our deep thanks to Elizabeth Bartz for her skilled leadership. We also thank all of our staff for their commitment, talent, and hard work in offering the highest quality of service to our clients. We believe these things are the keys to our growth and success.

November 20-23, 2010 – SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona

November 30, 2010 – American League of Lobbyists Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
December 3 – 5, 2010 – CSG National Conference, Providence, Rhode Island
December 5-8, 2010 – 2010 COGEL Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
December 8-11, 2010 – NCSL Fall Forum, Phoenix, Arizona
December 14, 2010 – Women in Government Relations PACs, Politics and Grassroots Conference, Washington, D.C.
December 14, 2010 – SGAC Holiday Party, Washington, D.C.
January 9-13, 2011 – PAC Public Affairs Institute, Laguna Beach, California

We have an exciting calendar this fall. Maybe we will see you there?

• September 27-29, 2010   PAC State and Local Government Relations Seminar, Alexandria, Virginia

• October 5-6, 2010   Practising Law Institute Corporate Political Affairs Seminar, Washington, D.C.

• November 11-14, 2010   Capitolbeat Conference, Phoenix, Arizona

• November 20-23, 2010   SGAC Leaders’ Policy Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona

• December 5-8, 2010   2010 COGEL Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Dear Clients:

The date of our utility company’s planned power outage has changed from Friday, August 20, to Friday, August 27, and I want to let you know immediately.

I sent you an e-mail late on Monday about our office closing this Friday, August 20, due to a planned power outage in our section of the City of Akron. Just today, however, our local electric utility company told us the forced outage will be one week later than originally planned.

Please note: the outage will begin Friday, August 27 at 1 p.m. and last until Sunday. We must shut off all electric-powered devices in our building during this time.

Those of you who use our online compliance information services through our website will not be able to access those services from 1 p.m. on August 27 until Sunday, August 29.

Additionally, this planned blackout will affect our telephone system. If you have routine business to conduct with us over the phone, I ask you call us either before 1 p.m. on Friday, August 27, or beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 30.

If you have an emergency and need to talk to us during this time, please call our main telephone number at 330-761-9960. I will have our main number forwarded to my cell phone and will take your call.

Any e-mails you send to us during the power blackout will go to an outside computer server and will be saved on this server. We will review your e-mails on August 30, and respond to any of your needs.

Once again, I apologize for this inconvenience—and also for having to tell you about it twice. This situation, including the utility’s scheduling of the planned outage, remains beyond our control. If you have questions or concerns, please call us.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO
State and Federal Communications, Inc.

To our valued clients:

Our office will have to close Friday, August 20, at 1 p.m. and this will affect your computer and telephone access/communications.

Our local electric utility company informed us it needs to do some important work on its main underground service line near our offices. Because of this, the utility will shut off electricity to our part of the City of Akron beginning Friday afternoon, August 20.

We must shut off all electric-powered devices in our building during this time.

Once our office closes August 20 at 1 p.m., those of you who use our online compliance information services through our website will not be able to access those services until Sunday, August 22.

Additionally, this planned blackout will affect our telephone system. If you have routine business to conduct with us over the phone, I ask you call us either before 1 p.m. on Friday, August 20, or beginning Monday, August 23, at 8 a.m.

If you have an emergency and need to talk to us during this time, please call our main telephone number at 330-761-9960. I will have our main number forwarded to my cell phone and will take your call.

Any e-mails you send to us during the power blackout will go to an outside computer server and saved on this server. We will review your e-mails Monday, and respond to any of your needs.

I apologize for this inconvenience, but the situation is beyond our control. If you have any concerns before the planned power outage occurs, please call us.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz, President and CEO
State and Federal Communications, Inc.