GSLP clients may include policy and legislative representation as part of an overall strategy to advance their goals.  We offer a number of approaches to promote a client’s interests before policy-making and governing bodies such as state legislatures and local governments.

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• GSLP helps clients determine legislative objectives and strategies to promote business interests by studying strategic objectives within the agencies, how appropriations are directed toward projects and leveraging relationships within the legislature to access state agency leadership.
   

  • Agency Legislative Appropriation Requests (LAR) analysis
     

  • State budget analysis of the Texas Legislature final budget report and 10 articles to identify where possible projects may be of interest for a client
     

• Additional legislative representation services may be requested.  These services may include: advancing policy through the legislative process through direct lobbying, monitoring and reporting on relevant legislation, and participation/representation in state collaborations or coalitions.
   

• Texas Lobby Laws
   

• At the local level, clients may need strategies developed and executed to increase awareness of a product or service.  Elected members with municipal, county and education governing bodies have authority and influence over policy and procurement decisions. 
   

Perhaps a public policy and advocacy approach is controversial.  It isn’t to your competitors and if handled within state and local lobby laws as well as within high ethical standards, our clients’ objectives can be successful achieved with this strategic approach.  Lobbying gets a bad reputation though it should not.  

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Many of the people writing laws and navigating the legislative process have relatively little experience in your industry.  These same people are incredibly brilliant and often receptive to sincere offers to help by industry representatives and lobbyists.  This can result in a legislative best case scenario for you or at least to minimize negative impact on your bottom line.

 

There are rules and laws governing lobbying and advocacy.  As the lobby industry is effectively regulated, expect to pay a retainer when hiring a lobbyist.  Depending upon what you want to accomplish, fees for services vary.  The more intensive and complex an initiative is, the more the retainer will be.  

 

Can you do this on your own?  Yes and maybe.  You, as your company's representative, may be required to register as a lobbyist if you are indeed lobbying.  Failing to register as a lobbyist while lobbying may incur a criminal penalty and would surely expose reputational risk to you and your business.  Hiring a registered lobbyist keeps everyone within the law and allows you to get your issue effectively represented before the Executive and Legislative Branches.