After we celebrated our 30th anniversary in 2023, we found we met milestones with affiliations with our stakeholder groups. One of the first we joined was NCSL—National Conference of State Legislatures. This year will be our 25th year as an exhibitor at its Legislative Summit and our 19th year as a member of the NCSL Foundation.

Why is this important to an organization whose mission it is to bring state legislators together? Because that is where we meet our clients. I know their mission is to meet the legislators… But the Summit is a great way to meet a lion’s share of our clients, which definitely helps us understand the work they do.

In 2024, eight of us from State and Federal Communications will head to Louisville, Kentucky for this year’s Summit. You should see our schedule. Between the summit sessions, exhibitor hours, SGAC member lunch, SGAC Professional Advanced Class, late afternoon receptions for incoming and outgoing NCSL executives, various trade association receptions (shout out to WASRG), the very popular SGAC late night (I have tickets to this hot event), and the great NCSL events at The Kentucky Center, and the closing reception at Churchill Downs.

Let me just say this is not a conference for the weak. We meet every morning for breakfast to discuss our day and divide the conflicting events.

The best is when we meet our clients at our exhibit booth. We “stateandfederalize” people with our popular red, white, and blue lanyards, take a quick photo for future issues of Compliance NOW, and just generally catch up.

We take our relationship with NCSL seriously. Just last week, CEO Tim Storey met with Jean Cantrell and me when we happened to be in Denver for another one of our stakeholder groups, ALEC. We definitely complimented him on the work done to bring more than 5,000 people to Louisville and meet the foundation goal for the year. We also spoke about concerns about the reduced number of days/times for the exhibitors. He listened and we hope to see some improvements in the future.

When the budget for NCSL is one of the top groups we are involved in, we will always make sure we can communicate our concerns. If you are going to Louisville, you will not have to look hard to find us! Hope to see you.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz
@elizabethbartz

We totally have enjoyed celebrating our 30th anniversary. And now we move on. If it is July 1st then it is our anniversary and we are ready to start year 31! I had thought we could utilize a logo resembling Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors but the company doesn’t use “31 Flavors” anymore.

It is just our 31st year. We are busier than ever. Yes, it is a presidential year and we will be participating Community Leaders of America in Milwaukee and the US Conference of Mayors in Chicago at their respective receptions. At this time we are still waiting to see if the presidential candidates will participate in the debates scheduled with the Commission on Presidential Debates.

We are attending the Council of State Governments Southern, Midwest, and Eastern regional meetings along with the national meeting in December. You will see ten (10) of us at National Conference of State Legislatures National Summit [Booth 513] along with our great exhibit booth.

There is no moss growing because we will also be an exhibitor at the American Association of Law Libraries [Booth 629], American Legislative Exchange Council, and attending American Society of Association Executives, which is in Cleveland, Ohio.

We are not slowing down. Our services are being used by major companies who need to ensure compliance, trade associates, law firms, and government relations firms. We are so honored to work with these organizations.

Onward to year 35!!!

Enjoy this beautiful summer. We hope to see you on the circuit.

Thank you.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz
@elizabethbartz

Maybe things are no longer “hot off the presses”, but our 2023 CSR Annual Report is definitely hot. The year was full of events and activities, which kept us busy all year long and it was all headed up by Joe May, Manager of CSR at State and Federal Communications, with a lot of help from a lot of the staff.

The 2023 report includes information about:

1.      Our great 30th anniversary

2.      Government Relations events we have attended around the country

3.      The MOVE from 19,000 square feet to 27,000 square feet in downtown Akron

4.      Creating the space for good to happen

5.      A ton of professional development opportunities

6.      Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

7.      How we strengthen our community through United Way, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Tools for School, and Be an Angel

8.      Our love for the Girl Scouts and the cookies

9.      Company leadership in organizations

10.    Our fabulous internship program

11.    How we protect our environment

12.    And beautiful ovations from Akron Mayor Shammas Malik, Women in Government Executive Director Meredith Martino, and NCSL’s current President and Rhode Island’s President Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy

Don’t just read the list… Go to the Annual Report and see for yourself how this mighty team of 43 people does a lot in Akron, Washington DC, and the country. We are happy to send you a copy… just send me an email at ebartz@stateandfed.com, and it will be on its way.

Enjoy this beautiful month of June. We will be back in July.

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz

Thank you.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz
@elizabethbartz

A few years ago, we added a tab on our website and called it Ask the Expert. Subscribers could pose a question about the content of our online guidebooks. We found this to be a great value add for our clients.

1. You mentioned a change in Louisiana. When will that go into effect?
2. Should our state folks track federal activity if they are not registered?
3. How can I amend a report we filed in Tennessee?

These are great questions, and we are happy to help.

However, two things have happened since we started.

1. Our clients have a lot of questions. Most of the questions deal with definitions from the states along with clarification of dates.
2. Michael Beckett has been terribly busy. Michael is our Associate Director of Research with six managers working for him. Whatever the district, he can route it to an attorney for a response.

We want to be of assistance to our subscribers when there are questions. We just need to make sure we have all the information.

Subscriber benefits are designed to include inquiries about the content of our online guidebook. Questions requiring novel research, application of subject matter, and projects involving multiple districts are outside the scope of this program.

We want to make sure we have all the information needed to answer your questions, and it helps if we can set up an agreement to assist you with your concerns. This does not move you over to our Consulting work. It just makes sure both sides are protected, and the cost is minimal.

Lobbying compliance is not easy, and we know you have other business to handle for your organization. We can help you at any level.

Until next month, prepare for the busy summer schedule of meetings being held everywhere, and Ask the Expert if you are stumped.

See you on the road.

Thank you.
Elizabeth Z. Bartz
@elizabethbartz

I saw these two videos [below] last week at the National Governors Association meeting in DC… and, I have been thinking about it. How can I disagree differently this election year?

It’s a big deal in my household. My husband is a diehard Ohio State fan. I was born in Ann Arbor. My immediate family members still wear the maize and blue when the teams play together.

Truth be told, I don’t have a reason not to be an Ohio State fan but it does keep disagreements lively. Our daughter went to Ohio State Law School and I was talking to our grandson, James (or Jackpot as I affectionately call him) about Michigan’s beauty when he screamed out loud, “Mom, I want to go to Michigan!”

Okay, let’s get back to disagreeing differently. I heard from former Congressman J.C. Watts [right] at the State Government Affairs Council Leaders Policy Conference in November. He had a great comment. Maybe there would not be as much divisiveness if people watched more Andy Griffith than FOX News. I ran up to tell him after my sisters and I watch Andy Griffith with our father every night (I even saw the episode when Aunt Bee arrived.) We could go back to my household where my husband and I are of different political sides. I have not been nice about it. When President Obama won, I blocked FOX News from the main television. I hated hearing it blaring in the television when I returned home. I also did not remind him to vote on one Primary Election, but I felt guilty and told him 10 minutes before the polls closed. He did have time to speed to the local school and vote.

Most of the time we watch television on different floors during a presidential election year. I want to do it differently this year—especially after the ridiculous issues Ohio Secretary of State allowed on our 2023 ballots about changing the constitution and women’s reproductive health. Our daughter, Nicole, and I had old conversations with John about why both would severely affect women in the state. I was also afraid Nicole and her family would move to Colorado with her in-laws and I would NOT be happy—about the move, not the in-laws.

I will TRY the same thing this year. We need to get over the things we are both concerned with and that is the age of our candidates for president. At this point there is nothing we can do about it. Will I ever change his mind and vote for my candidate? Probably not. But maybe on November 5th, we can watch election coverage together.

It’s important we know why we want to vote for a specific candidate. Take the time to learn. There are so many ways than FOX or MSNBC. Read books, magazine articles, put it in your Open AI. Take the time because we have the time. Then VOTE.

Governor Mike Parson (R) Missouri and Governor Laura Kelly (D) Kansas

Governor Wes Moore (D) Maryland and Mayor Jack Coburn (R) Lonaconing, MD

Recently I promoted Amber Fish Linke from a Director position to Vice President. She earned the promotion.

Amber joined State and Federal Communications in March 2005 as one of our research associates. She took some time off that summer to take the Ohio Bar Exam, which she passed. Amber was part of our initial compliance associate team, where she joined two other staff members to spend all their time working with our compliance program.

She had worked in both departments, and it made sense to have her oversee both as Director and we were able to promote both John Cozine and Michael Beckett to oversee compliance and research, respectively.

Amber and I meet frequently to talk about business, especially our consulting program ALERTS. In 2023, while I was knee high in our move from 17,000 to 29,000 sq feet, I knew I had to promote Amber to Vice President to really help me with promoting our consulting program to our current subscribers who still need additional assistance, work with compliance and research departments to insure we have the staff on hand for the work, and to get involved in our community to develop leaders at the company.

I am not fast when making decisions, because I want to make sure I have everything in place. I was able to take the time in December and worked with Amber to develop a great job description for the position.

Voila! I have a new Vice President whom I know will be able to help speak with potential clients about consulting services and help develop our future leaders.

Stay tuned … We have a lot to do and will continue to be your #1 compliance company.

Thank you

EB

@elizabethbartz

When I decided to write about upcoming elections in 2024, the song from Band-Aid (1984) came to my mind, with my own words.

It’s Election time, there’s no need to be afraid

At Election time, we let in light, and we banish shade

According to my friend, ChatGPT, 32% of registered voters cast a ballot for US President in 2020, which was more than 2016. Okay, I checked it with a more solid source, the US Census Bureau and the numbers were about the same. There is more to know, and I personally resemble some of these points.

• Those 45 to 64.
• Those 65 and older.
• The non-Hispanic White population.
• Those with some college or an associate degree.
• Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The highlight from a report from the US Census Bureau is the main reason registered nonvoters did not vote is they were not interested in the election. Those who are not even registered to vote cite the reason is they are not involved in politics.

And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world at Election time

But say a prayer, Pray for the other ones

At Election time it’s hard, but when you’re having fun

Why does this concern me? We spend our whole year updating our website with election dates from the federal government, every state government, and municipalities. My blogs about Who Is Voting in America is a top post.

My New Year’s Resolution—other than losing weight and taking better care of myself—is to meet with all the college students I run into and give them one of our Keep US Strong buttons. It is important they realize the future depends on them to VOTE and to be involved.

In the two state representative districts in Akron and Kent, we have two young men running in 2024. It is their first run for office, and I hope they can speak to their contemporaries about registering and voting.

Let them know it’s Election time again.

On behalf of my staff at State and Federal Communications, we wish you a Happy New Year.

Our 2024 calendar is packed. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Do you want to stay up to date with the latest news at State and Federal Communications, inc.? Sign up for the newsletter here or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X.

Q: We recently hired a lobbyist that is coming to our company directly from spending a number of years as a Senate staffer. What restrictions should we be aware of as her new employer in terms of who she can contact on the Hill?

A: Both the House and the Senate have post-employment restrictions for certain individuals leaving their employment on the Hill.

Importantly, the House and Senate ethics committees will discuss with the staffer prior to their departure the restrictions under which they must operate.  That said, as her new employer, you should definitely be aware of what restrictions are applicable to her situation so neither the company nor she violates the rules. For the Senate, senior staff, defined as individuals whose annual salary is $130,500 or more, are subject to a one year Senate-wide ban. Essentially, senior staff leaving the Senate may not lobby the entire Senate for one year following their departure – this includes lobbying contact with personal, committee, and leadership offices. Staff making less than $130,500 a year are subject to a one-year ban from lobbying their particular office – whether personal, committee, or leadership office. The House restriction for senior staff is a one-year ban from lobbying the particular office for which the former staffer worked and there is no ban in the House for staffers making less than $130,500.

For more information about post-government restrictions in both the federal legislative and executive branch, please contact us directly.

I was a traditional student. You know I did what was expected of me. I graduated high school and went to college for a BA. Took a short-term job at an NPR station and realized if I needed to make a change, I needed more education. I obtained an MA and went to work thinking I knew it all.

But you know I didn’t. Statistics was not my favorite class in graduate school so when I moved to DC, I took a class at the Department of Agriculture so I could try on my own time to learn more about it. After all these decades I really do not use statistics.

Again, for decades I sat at my desk running the company. In 2009, I read about the Public Affairs Council’s PAC Institute and applied for the 2010 class. It was amazing. We did not spend our time talking about how a bill becomes law, how to lobby, or how to be a perfect employee.

From the Council’s website, step outside the day-to-day challenges of your job. Focus on the broader issues shaping the business and political environments in which your organization operates.

The Public Affairs Institute combines a rigorous curriculum with small, carefully selected classes to provide participants with unmatched opportunities to learn directly from premier faculty. Speakers are issue experts from leading universities, think tanks, and the top levels of government.

The Institute’s three-year course of study ensures graduates gain an in-depth understanding of the pivotal issues in public affairs today. You will be immersed in an exceptional educational and networking environment renowned for its innovation and excellence.

The Institute curriculum is developed for public affairs executives by public affairs executives. Topics are chosen based on input from previous graduates about the challenges that they and their organizations face.

In 2010, State and Federal Communications sent the following to Institute and in January 2023, Gamble Hayden will be part of the freshman class.

Elizabeth Bartz—Class of 2012

Ren Koozer—Class of 2016

Jean Cantrell—Class of 2013

Rebecca South—Class of 2019

Joseph May—Class of 2023

As you prepare for your professional development look at this awesome program. If you have any specific questions, please contact me. I love promoting the PAC Institute. #AlwaysLearning

Thank you.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz @elizabethbartz

Earlier this year, our business development department started a quest to find colleagues, friends, clients, and officials to give a brief comment about reaching our 30th anniversary. Have you seen these videos? You can find them on the State and Federal Communications website, www.stateandfed.com.

I did the first one and then every Wednesday at 2 pm, we introduce another great video. It started with Ohio Governor Michael DeWine, whom I have seen around conferences and other events in Ohio and DC.  Now, does he remember me? I don’t know but his video is very much appreciated.

As are all the others. We have had—so far.

• The Exquisite Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro
• Women in Government Relations President, Chatrane Birbal
• Owner of our fabulous Akron RubberDucks, Ken Babby
• The President of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, Jane Christyson—who carries single-wrapped Girl Scout Cookies in her purse.
• The ever-calm Executive Director, Jeremy Lile, of Akron’s Heart to Heart Leadership
• My fellow Yiayia (Greek Grandmother) Para Jones who is also the President of Stark State College.
• Chief Executive Officer of National Conference of State Legislatures Tim Storey
• President and CEO of the Public Affairs Council Doug Pinkham—a fellow Ohioan from a long time ago.
• Current National Conference of State Legislatures President Brian Patrick Kennedy
• And from the first person I met at Kent State University in 1976, my BFF Judith Zimomra who has served the public without incident as the Chief of Staff for Cleveland Mayor Mike White and followed that up with a 20-year tenure as City Manager of Sanibel Island. She retired and moved BACK to Ohio and teaches at The Ohio State University John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

Can I tell you I have every opportunity to check the network and watch them all. I even get an email at the beginning of the week telling me who is being featured… And I still do not check it out. I am sure my husband would prefer I did that instead of spending my evenings on the Nordstrom and Talbot sites!!!

I absolutely love hearing from people who want to be a part of our 30th anniversary. I know there are more—in fact enough to even go into 2024. We are even waiting for Akron’s Presumptive Mayor Shammas Malik to be sworn in on January 1st to record his video.

What can I say? I am not perfect. There have been thousands of business decisions made that could have been better. However, I must be doing something right to still show up 30 years later to be a tax-paying Corporate Crusader for Compliance in Government Relations.

Check out the videos on our website or on Facebook, Twitter (X), or LinkedIn.

Thank you to everyone.

Elizabeth Z. Bartz  @elizabethbartz

December is now upon us, and as everyone is in the midst of work, family and holiday season obligations, it is important to take some time this month to get into “PRO” mode in preparation for 2023.  What is PRO mode, you ask?  Well:

P is for Planning – December is a great time to take a look back at your planning strategies for this year and make some tweaks to get yourself ready for 2023!  Do you typically put off work projects, travel plans or other things on your “to do” list until the very last minute, no doubt causing you stress and anxiety?  Assess why this is the case and think about some ways that you might be able to improve your “tackling that list” timing!

R is for Reflecting – December is also a great time to begin reflecting upon the current year:  What were your wins or significant accomplishments?  What were your challenges? Who were the people this year whom were your greatest allies, and whom made the biggest impact on you? What are your goals for 2023?

O is for Organizing – Remember those goals for 2023 that’s now on your radar?  December is a great time to start organizing to set yourself up for achieving those goals!  Maybe you get yourself a new planner and some colorful pens for writing down your next steps? Or, maybe you begin decluttering your home or office space in preparation for the new year and a new outlook?!

As you prepare for 2023, don’t forget to also take the time to reach out to those in your circle and ask them how they plan to get into “PRO” mode for 2023?  I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season, and all the best for the coming year!

I am always looking for great folks to add to our State and Federal Communications community. I recently was aware that Joe Wasser was looking for a new opportunity. Joe has more than 24 years of business development experience in the government relations and PAC industry. So I picked up the phone and called him.

Joe joined State and Federal Communications, Inc. in October as our new Senior Account Manager. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in government relations and building relationships. I am thrilled he is on our team.

Prior to joining State and Federal Communications, Joe was one of the first employees of Capitol Hill Software which became Vocus before it was acquired by Cision. Joe was one of the most instrumental people in building the Vocus client base starting in 1997.

“I’m excited to work with my longtime friend Elizabeth and the team at State and Federal Communications,” said Wasser. “I know we can build upon the great work that has already been done and help the company grow.”

Joe will explore business development and new growth opportunities for State and Federal Communications including market assessment, and new and emerging industry potential.
When Joe started with Capitol Hill Software and Vocus, the products were sold as physical diskettes that were sent to clients. Similarly, State and Federal Communications sent out binders and guidebooks to clients and would regularly supplement them with additional pages.

While State and Federal Communications was modernizing the process of making compliance web-based, Joe and the Vocus teamwere doing the same thing to create one of the most widely used web-based filing tools for federal PACs. His experience adds great value to State and Federal Communications.

A life-long Maryland Terrapin, Joe is a big fan of Washington D.C. sports particularly the Washington Nationals. However, after getting a taste of a winning culture in the Cleveland Guardians, he has adopted the Guardians as a fan too.

Joe and his wife Suzanne live on the eastern shore of Maryland. They have two adult children and are delighted to be welcoming their first grandchild in January 2023.

If Joe knows you, he will be in contact with you. He is as much an extrovert as me and I already know he will be a great addition.

On behalf of the State and Federal Communications Family, we wish you and yours Happy Holidays and look forward to a busy 2023 in the states, federal government, municipalities, and international countries.

During this upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday, many family members and friends will gather around a dinner table, and right before they dig in for a scrumptious meal, they will profess at least one person, place, thing, and/or idea for which they are grateful. I ask, however, why we should wait for a particular time of the year to show (and acknowledge) gratitude?

I would argue that in an ideal world, gratitude would be just a routine part of everyone’s daily existence; no hidden agendas, just opportunities to recognize the life influences that support and challenge us, and that remind us that there is a greater good that exists when we take the time to stop and reflect!  I would like to take the time now to proclaim that I am grateful for the following:  my family and friends whom are treasured near and far; my employer and industry colleagues whom continue to inspire me every day; the clients, whom continue to trust us with their Federal, State, and International compliance needs; and for the many opportunities and life lessons that have come my way over the past 52 years – some were welcomed; others I raised an eyebrow to, but overall, each of these have made me the person I am today, and so for all of these, I am grateful!

I invite you to take a moment each day to acknowledge the persons, places, things, and ideas for which you are grateful — and, while you’re at it, take the time to also show some gratitude to others! It’ll bring a smile to your face (and hey, who doesn’t love a good smile?).

It was bound to end sooner or later … All those Zoom conferences ending and people meeting again in person. We already have 55 meetings on the calendar for 2023. 55 and if you do the math there are a few which will overlap.

The best part is I have a great staff to help attend these programs. This was particularly important because I was truly planning to fly between Women in Government in Orlando and National Association of Business PAC at The Breakers the very same week in November. That changed immediately when we brought on Joe Wasser, formerly with Cision, and he was a regular at the NABPAC conference. So, I will miss the beautiful Breakers but I will not have to fly back and forth, which really sounded ridiculous.

People ask why I travel so much. It is easy. More than half of my life is in Akron, Ohio and I can count on one hand the number of clients we have in this city. The choices were to either step up to the plate and attend the conferences with clients—and prospective clients—attending; or get a kiosk at Washington National Airport (DCA) and just live there.

Back to 2023, our schedule of conferences and events is updated on our website. Many folks ask us about specific conferences and those of us who attend are knowledgeable as to how working with stakeholders is important for the work we do at State and Federal Communications, Inc.

So, watch out 2023, I still do not pack efficiently, but I am always available and ready to see you out and about…Along with many of my team members.

On behalf of State and Federal Communications, we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and look forward to connecting with you in December.