Case Studies

Federal

Building the Case for Completing Rail Corridor

Rewriting a federal grant application combined with effective advocacy resulted in $16 million for the Port of Longview rail corridor.

Responding to Catastrophic Flood Prevention

Unplugging a bureaucratic logjam that allowed resumption of annual Mt. St. Helens surveys to protect communities from catastrophic flooding.

Creating a New Veterans Center in Lacey

Navigating bureaucratic obstacles to establish a new Veterans Center in a Washington community with a growing population of veterans.

Barging Solid Waste Containers into the Future

Applying targeted grant strategies resulted in multiple-year funding to support growing use of solid waste containers on the Columbia River.

Restoring County Funding for Search and Rescue

Building a coalition to gain bipartisan congressional support for a measure to allow spending on search and rescue operations.

Securing Funding for Electric Buses in Salem

Teaming with local transit staff to secure four federal grant awards totaling nearly $23 million to buy 20 electric buses.

Saving Historic Pearson Field in Vancouver

Persuading a federal agency to back off a regulation that would have restricted flights at Pearson Airport in Vancouver.

Erickson, Inc.

Helping an industrial helicopter company prepare for a crisis and then deal with a crisis.

Navigating School Labor Talks and Avoiding a Strike

Assisting school district leaders navigate major budget cuts, tense labor negotiations and the possibility of a strike.

Making the Case for Transit Funding Statewide

Assisting small, rural transit agencies tell their success stories of how new investments translated into more riders.

Highlighting Challenges Facing Older Adults

Sharpening communications for a nonprofit and an institute advocating on behalf of older and disabled adults.

Sharing Communication Tips with City Lobbyists

Offering insights and experience through media training on how to sharpen messages to the media and legislators.

Marketing a Pioneering Public Retirement Savings Plan

Getting a first-in-the-nation public retirement savings plan off the ground by easing business concerns, listening to target savers and creating appealing branding.

Preserving Critical Support for Child Abuse Victims

Using shuttle diplomacy to avert serious child advocacy budget cuts by convincing lawmakers to backfill stalled federal financial support.

Preventing a Tax on Broadcaster FCC Licenses

Developing a consensus legislative fix for broadcasters to avoid state taxation of intangible assets like FCC licenses.

Heading Off a Veto for Critical Infrastructure

Making a successful case that funding for a new seismically resilient pump station would support the governor’s goal of increased housing.

Restoring Tax Credits to Buy Zero-Emission Buses

Finding a way to salvage tax credits for Cherriots that now can be used to buy zero-emission buses.

Training Young Lawyers to Represent Defendants

Funding Oregon law schools to train law students on to assist clients charged with misdemeanors without lawyers.

Securing Funding to Replace Aging County Courthouse

Working collaboratively with county and state officials to win legislative approval for increased state matching funds for a courthouse replacement.

Securing Funding for a State Road in Tigard

Despite a late start, winning approval of funding to repair a state road that serves as a busy local street.

Public Policy and Lobbying Success Stories