Our government relations team can reach every level of government in Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia – both local and federal. Our relationships stem from years of experience as high-level staff in the executive and legislative branches of the federal and state governments and includes a former Maryland Senate Majority Leader. An effective representation of clients depends on more than relationships with elected officials. It is founded and dependent on our ability to understand client issues at an expert level and use that expertise to educate legislators.
Compass representation is rooted in a team approach that pairs clients with partners that have the subject matter expertise and relationships to create and execute tailormade legislative strategies.
Practice Areas
Operating and Capital Budget
Every year, the state assemblies appropriate millions of dollars to third-party organizations in both operating and capital funding. Compass positions clients to ensure lasting state support for their programs and projects.
- Secure local and state operating budget funds
- Protect capital budget allocations
- Insert budget and committee narrative
Taxation and Fees
State legislations regularly reevaluate tax policy, and their reach goes far beyond changes to personal property and income taxes. Special taxes and fees are often applied to a myriad industries and Compass has broad experience tackling these different tax regimes.
- Corporate taxation regimes
- Unique sales and use taxes and fees
- Tax credits
Business Regulation
Our government relations team works alongside our clients to influence a range of legislation that impacts the business operating environment in Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
- Gaming
- Labor
- Predictive scheduling
- Unemployment insurance
- Wage and compensation
Education
The Mid-Atlantic prides itself on its public education, consistently a top priority each legislative session. States reevaluate their education policies while balancing their relationship with local boards of education. Compass lobbyists have successfully navigated this relationship while meeting their clients’ needs.
- Early childhood education
- K-12 education
- Higher Education including career schools
Energy
Compass Government Relations Partners represents a broad array of energy clients in Delaware, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. Our professionals have been at the forefront of many renewable energy policy initiatives in our region over the last 15 years.
- Renewable Energy (RPS, solar, wind, storage energy policy)
- Public service commission
- Local project development and PILOT agreements
Healthcare
Compass has a depth of health policy expertise that comes from years of working with providers, patient advocacy organizations, insurers, and others across the wide spectrum of the health care delivery system. We’re proud of the positive impact our clients create.
- Behavioral health
- Health occupations
- Healthcare facilities
- Medicaid and Medicare
Natural Resources & Environment
The Mid-Atlantic region holds several estuaries and habitats that are crucial to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, rivers, and communities beyond. Our region’s state assemblies contemplate legislation that preserve natural resources. Compass Government Relations has had a hand in shaping key policies that protect and preserve our environment.
- Fishery management plans
- Water quality and Watershed Implementation Plans
- Stream restoration and funding
Procurement
Compass guides our clients through the process of conducting business in the public sector in both Maryland and Delaware. We open the right doors and provide strategic advice that wins our clients contracts. We help clients work through the state and local levels, public school systems, university systems and specifically, Maryland’s unique Board of Public Works, a panel composed of the State’s governor, treasurer, and comptroller that votes on all state contracts over $200,000.
- Information technology
- Health information systems
- Group health insurance
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
Social Justice
Our team has a long history of working with non-profit clients to pass legislation and galvanize the Legislature into action. Social justice issues require a different approach and tact. Advocacy requires engagement not just with a specific committee of the legislature but working with every member of the General Assembly to secure their support.
- Equity issues
- End-of-Life options
- Police reform
- Criminal justice reform
Transportation
The debate over urban versus rural access to transportation is one that is alive and well in the Mid-Atlantic and Compass Government Relations Partners will navigate your way through the turbulent waters of transportation policy.
- Mass transit and roads
- Procurement
- Public-Private Partnerships
- State funding