Services

Communication / Briefing Reports

GCSI lobbyists communicate regularly with clients. Sometimes it is daily; other times it is weekly. Sometimes it is in writing, via terse e-mails or extensive briefing reports; other times it is by phone. Sometimes it is through testimony before a governing board; other times it is informal dinner discussion.

Rest assured, however, that we at GCSI avail ourselves to serve clients however, whenever and wherever they so desire. We recognize good, open communication is essential to both establishing a healthy relationship with our clients and realizing success for them at the Michigan Capitol.

Bill Tracking / Agency Monitoring

GCSI lobbyists review daily all bills and resolutions introduced in the Michigan Legislature. We routinely forward client designees a tracking report of all bills of interest to their legislative agenda and, as needed, provide in-depth analyses of such legislation.

GCSI also regularly monitors state departments and agencies – such as the Office of Attorney General, Department of Treasury, Department of State Police and Michigan Liquor Control Commission – for opinions and promulgation of new rules and regulations. GCSI promptly notifies clients of any measure that impacts their operations.

Access to Political Leaders / State Regulators

GCSI enjoys strong working relationships with all of the political powerbrokers in state government, including the Governor, Attorney General, House Speaker, Senate Majority Leader and influential regulators. Such ties ensure clients critical access to Michigan’s key decision-makers.

We frequently facilitate face-to-face meetings for clients with state brass and counsel them on when such engagements are essential to realizing their lobbying goal.

Committee Representation

GCSI represents clients at all relevant committee hearings. Lawmakers often take public testimony at the committee level that can persuade them to amend legislation. Thus, having a client representative accompany us to some meetings – and, if need be, testify before the panel – can complement our lobbying efforts. We promptly notify clients when such an occasion arises. Moreover, we provide assistance in the development and writing of testimony.

Issues Management

Public support for an issue can facilitate its passage – or defeat – in the Michigan Legislature. While we are not a public relations firm, GCSI maintains quality relationships with Michigan media. We know that managing an issue properly in the media can lend buoyancy to our advocacy effort.

When warranted, we partner with clients’ in-house marketing team to hew a public-relations strategy that augments our collaborative lobbying effort.

Coalition Building

Coalition building in the legislative process is utterly important. GCSI routinely helps clients identify opportunities to collaborate with other government stakeholders when doing so is likely to benefit their business enterprise.

Resource Identification

GCSI works with clients to identify and/or develop corporate resources and activities that can be used to educate lawmakers about their business enterprise. Tours of client facilities, for example, often facilitate our advocacy on behalf of clients because lawmakers often learn by visualizing and experiencing. GCSI is careful to ensure all such endeavors comport with lobby and campaign finance laws.

Lobby Law / Campaign Finance Assistance

Keeping track of Michigan lobby law and campaign-finance rules prescribed by the Secretary of State is time consuming, not to mention confusing. GCSI experts gladly inform clients of changes in the law to ensure their compliance.

Political Functions

More than 250 political fund-raisers and receptions occur during a two-year election cycle. GCSI represents clients at most all of them, recognizing said events provide excellent opportunities to engage lawmakers informally and bolster clients’ stature in Lansing.