State Government Relations

Practice Overview

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP State Government Relations team is second to none. We have a strong record as successful advocates because we have developed a model to draw on our entire team to meet clients’ needs. We listen to our clients and understand that in many cases what works for a client in Minnesota may not be the best approach in other states in which our clients do business. We work at the state level to develop strategic plans to best serve clients’ lobbying and communications objectives. In Minnesota, LGN has one of the largest bipartisan government relations teams that bring strong, long-term, personal connections with lawmakers, the executive branch, and agency staff in Minnesota.

LGN executes a multifaceted approach to representing our clients’ needs, including grassroots organization, association/coalition management, and public relations as integral parts of a successful legislative strategy. Working together, LGN attorneys, lobbyists, organizers, and communicators represent and engage our clients in the legislative process. We also are uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive services to governmental entities as well as trade associations and coalitions made up of such entities.

The State Government Relations team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP understands that policies and funding priorities legislated at the Congressional level, often leave the implementation to localities such as counties, cities, townships, and school districts.

With our knowledge of the challenges that local units of government face, the team at LGN works with clients and elected officials, in tandem, to help navigate the legislative process related to funding for capital investment projects, land use, tax & economic development, health care, workforce training, and transportation.

The LGN State Government Relations team has secured numerous legislative and regulatory victories for its clients at the Minnesota State Capitol.

In our representation of local units of government, LGN has successfully delivered more than 100 million dollars of state bonding for infrastructure projects.

Our Services

Local governments, associations, Indian tribes, and businesses of every size must be prepared to quickly and positively influence the legislative process at both the state and federal levels. The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP team helps our clients:

respond to public policy changes that affect them every day
organize, educate, and mobilize stakeholders at the grassroots level
communicate clearly and persuasively
achieve short and long-term success

Lobbying

It is our goal to strategically assist our clients with state policy leaders. We work with our clients to formulate a thoughtful and effective strategy to implement their legislative and administrative agenda while responding quickly and effectively to lawmakers and decision-makers’ questions and concerns to maximize their influence on public policy.

We work closely with our clients to develop a strategic action plan that anticipates and avoids real and potential problem. We manage oral and written communications with key agencies, legislators, and stakeholders to best position you at the State Capitol. Additionally, we compile and analyze the political landscape relevant to your objectives to ensure the plan we develop together utilizes the necessary relationships and political strategy to accomplish your goals.

Client Successes

I-94 Expansion

The LGN State Government Relations team secured 70 million dollars of state funding for this major transportation project. LGN worked with numerous Mayors, City Councilmembers and City Administrators to design and execute a successful legislative strategy.

HERO Center

LGN State Government Relations team members created and executed a strategy to secure 9.8 million dollars in state funding to build the new public safety training facility in Cottage Grove. The HERO Center is a regional facility serving the east metro.

Roseville Tax Increment Finance District

The LGN State Government Relations team successfully provided a key exemption in Minnesota tax increment finance law to provide the City of Roseville the flexibility it needed for community goals.

Special Municipal Protection Legislation

The LGN State Government Relations team worked to pass special legislation for the City of Vadnais Heights. The City of Vadnais Heights was projected to be seriously impacted by potential actions contemplates by the Minnesota Legislature regarding White Bear Lake water levels. The LGN team crafted and passed special legislation to protect the interests of the City as numerous area water issues were being debated at the Minnesota Legislature.

Palace Theater Bonding

LGN State Government Relations professionals worked closely with the Mayor of Saint Paul and his staff to successfully secure $5 million for the Palace Theatre renovation project. Now renovated, the historic theater in downtown Saint Paul is a 3,000-person capacity venue. LGN worked to build support for the renovation with key legislative leaders, the governor’s policy staff, and with business leaders in Saint Paul.

Downtown Saint Paul Saints Stadium

The LGN State Government Relations team developed and executed a successful strategy to acquire state funding for a baseball stadium in downtown Saint Paul. The firm was retained to manage the government relations strategy as part of a large coalition of businesses and private and public sector partners, demonstrating our ability to lead, manage, and add value to multiple stakeholder groups involved in large projects requiring both public and private investment

Testimonials

Andrea Mokros, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer for Fairview Health Services

“The Lockridge Grindal Nauen lobbying team’s depth of healthcare policy knowledge has been critical for us as we educate legislators on issues impacting our care delivery. Their bipartisan team has integrated seamlessly with us as we work toward finding solutions that serve our hospitals, medical professionals, and patients well.”

Bryan Donaldson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

“Through their lobbying and advocacy efforts in collaboration with our statewide organization, the team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen was able to successfully secure workforce development funding for Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Minnesota. Their diligence and passion working with us goes far beyond any client-lobbyist relationship.”

Mike Madigan, President & Legal Counsel, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association

“The Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association has had the good fortune to be represented by LGN at the Capitol for well over a decade on business and regulatory issues. The legislative expertise, advocacy skills, and relationship with legislators of their bipartisan lobbying team has been invaluable. They are the best in the state!”

Tony Wilson, Senior Director, State Government AffairsState Government Relations

“The network of relationships LGN’s team brings across the political spectrum has kept us continually engaged with the right people, regardless of the latest election results. I rely on their insights and knowledge of the state and local government landscape to ensure we always stay ahead of emerging technology issues.”

Legislative Issues

The State Government Relations team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP has a wide variety of experience and knowledge on issues before the legislature. The breadth and depth of our team’s understanding of budget and policy issues allows our clients to effectively serve our clients’ needs before the legislature.

Health Care

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP State Government Relations team has a long tradition of comprehensive and successful representation of health care clients before the legislature in St. Paul. LGN has represented large hospital systems, academic medical centers, specialty physician organizations, ancillary health care providers, and public health organizations on a variety of issues before the legislature.

Our state government relations team has the unique combination of substantive issue expertise and political strategy that allows us to get the most successful results for our health care clients on a yearly basis. Few in St. Paul can match LGN’s depth of knowledge and understanding to successfully navigating the intricacies of health care practices, policies, and politics. Our team has decades of experience working in and with the legislature and multiple governors’ administrations. This familiarity of issues and collegiality with key players has led to proven and measurable result for our clients, including successful efforts to increase funding for graduate medical education, defeat harmful scope of practice changes, and pass countless anti-smoking initiatives.

Education: Higher Education & E-12

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP State Government Relations team has comprehensive experience in developing and implementing successful public policy advocacy on behalf of our higher education clients and E-12 education. Our state government relations team has decades of experience working in and with the governor’s administration and the state legislature. This familiarity with issues and collegiality with key players has led to proven and measurable results for our clients, including successful efforts to direct targeted state higher education dollars and influence student-centered reforms for primary and secondary school students.

Transportation

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP State Government Relations team has extensive experience in developing and implementing successful state relations and public policy advocacy programs on behalf of associations, coalition groups, and corporations. We have a track record of successfully representing corporations, labor unions, local governments, and industry associations on transportation policy and funding issues. Our experience and long-term strategic relationships with legislative leaders and the governor’s administration give our clients superior access and advice.

The state government relations professionals have expertise gained over decades of work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council and other transportation boards and commissions. Our team combines its legislative and regulatory capabilities to ensure our clients the best opportunity at successful and sustainable outcomes. Our work has brought measurable benefits to clients, including preventing harmful tax and fee increases, maintaining a fair and predictable regulatory environment, and winning funding for local transportation projects.

General Business Issues

Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP’s State Government Relations team brings a diverse range of experience and a long record of success in advocating for businesses large and small – from local trade associations to Fortune Global 100 corporations – as they navigate complex tax and regulatory issues at the state legislature. LGN is proud to partner with our business clients to elevate their voice at the Capitol by cultivating broader influence and understanding within the public policy decision-making process.

Our state government relations team executes proven strategies specific to our clients’ objectives. By applying our policy expertise and incorporating our network of key relationships, we position our business clients for success in the state’s shifting political and regulatory climate.

Regulated Industries

The Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP State Government Relations team has extensive experience in developing and implementing successful public policy advocacy programs on behalf of associations, coalition groups, and corporations. Our team has a track record of successfully representing trade associations and corporations in virtually all regulated industries. LGN has experience and long-term strategic relationships with legislative leaders and the governor’s administration that give our clients superior access and advice.

The state government relations professionals have expertise gained over decades of work with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Office of the Attorney General, and other regulators.

Our team combines its legislative and regulatory capabilities to ensure our clients the best opportunity at successful and sustainable outcomes. Our work has brought measurable benefits to clients including proactive regulatory reform, preventing and managing governmental overreach, and guiding coalitions to our client’s benefit.

Local Government Relations

The State Government Relations team at Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP understands that the “rubber hits the road” at the local level of government. Policies and funding that come from Washington, D.C. and St. Paul are often implemented by localities such as counties, cities, townships, and school districts.

With the knowledge of the challenges local units of government face, the team at LGN works with our clients to navigate the legislative process at the state and federal levels to meet local needs relating to funding for capital investment projects, land use, economic development, and transportation.

By collaborating with local, state, and federal units of government, the team at LGN helps local officials address the priorities of their respective communities.

Campaign Finance

In additional to our lobbying services, Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP attorneys have extensive experience in the niche area of campaign finance and election law. Our attorneys:

counsel individuals, political committees and associations as they navigate the complexities of state and federal campaign finance regulations
assist with administering political committees
advise clients regarding the laws regulating contributions and expenditures
represent clients before the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board and Federal Election Commission.

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Carol J. Mraz

Senior Legislative Administrative Assistant

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State Government Relations

Practice Overview

Our Services

Lobbying

Client Successes

Testimonials

Andrea Mokros, Executive Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer for Fairview Health Services

Bryan Donaldson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs

Mike Madigan, President & Legal Counsel, Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association

Tony Wilson, Senior Director, State Government AffairsState Government Relations

Legislative Issues

Health Care

Education: Higher Education & E-12

Transportation

General Business Issues

Regulated Industries

Local Government Relations

Campaign Finance

Practice Professionals

Daniel G. Larson

Ann T. Lenczewski

H. Theodore Grindal

Amos A. Briggs

Jasmine Epps-Flowers

Alex T. Hassel

Jessica E. Lindeen

Kevin J. Matzek

Daniel L. Pollock

Cullen D. Sheehan

Carol J. Mraz

Practices

Practices Cont.

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