MEETING DATE: 2/4/2020
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
DEPT HEAD/DIRECTOR: Ray Espinosa
AGENDA ITEM PREPARER: Dulce Alonso
SBC DEPT FILE NUMBER: 119
SUBJECT:
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R ESPINOSA
Delegate athority to CAO to execute contract with Nielsen Merksamer for a five (5) month period to represent the interest of San Benito County at the State level in the amount not to exceed $30,000.00.
SBC FILE NUMBER: 119
AGENDA SECTION:
CONSENT AGENDA
BACKGROUND/SUMMARY:
The County of San Benito needs more advocacy at the State level to ensure our community needs are being heard consistently. Lobbying services will benefit the county by monitoring legislation and determining if it will help or negatively impact our community. Other services include seeking funding, providing guidance on strategic communications, and prioritizing the board's legislative priorities.
The CAO's office has evaluated and considered the attached proposals provided by the following professional lobbying firm to represent the County of San Benito, CA at the state level.
- Diaz and Associates,
- JEA & Associates, and
- Nielsen Merksamer
The proposals are all attached for your review and a list of their most recent legislative/regulatory advocacy accomplishments.
Nielsen Merksamer’s Qualifications, Credentials and Related Experience
Nielsen Merksamer is a political law, government law, and lobbying law firms. They serve a national clientele including local government, public agencies, trade associations, non-profits, JPAs, leading businesses, and individuals. Nielsen Merksamer has relationships with both sides of the political aisle. Nielsen Merksamer is a medium sized firm with over 60 employees, six of which are attorney/lobbyists providing the following services:
• Government law, advocacy, lobbying and strategic advice regarding the legislative, regulatory and administrative processes.
• Representation of clients before the executive and legislative branches of government. In addition, representation of clients before regulatory bodies and stakeholder groups.
• Analysis, drafting, editing and amendments to legislative measures which impact the firm’s clients.
• Litigation advice on political, governmental and constitutional issues at all levels of state and federal courts.
• Advice to clients on compliance with lobbying, campaigns, ethics and contractor disqualification laws at the local, state and federal level.
• Representation as campaign and election law counsel on all aspects of the electoral process, including most major California statewide initiatives or referendum in the past 30 years.
BUDGETED: