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In the News Savannnah lobbyists help clients, level legislative playing field
In the News Savannnah lobbyists help clients, level legislative playing field | Savannnah lobbyists help clients, level legislative playing field |
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Savannah Morning News | December 28, 2007 By Larry Peterson Think of them as a basketball team. There's a starting five - Chatham County's major lobbyists at the state capital. A handful of reserves see action at the capital on behalf of local clients, but not as often. And a few folks are on the official roster of lobbyists but never get into the legislative game. However, they might some day. Think of them as a taxi squad. Together, the Chatham County lobbyists are only a tiny fraction of 1,200 or so lobbyists registered with the state. But they are part of a fundamental reality: The information they provide is indispensable to Georgia's part-time legislature. That, in turn, pays off in assuring at least a level playing field for their clients, and, on a good day, one that's downhill both ways. The starting five includes two married couples - Mike Vaquer and Jean McRae, as well as Amy and Lee Hughes - plus Tarry Mills Hodges. The reserve squad includes Trip Tollison, Dave Simons and Sara Barczak. At the Capitol in Atlanta, local lobbyists carry the ball for local governments, restaurants, hospitals, developers, advocates of alternative energy sources and other clients. Here are their stories. Hughes Public Affairs Amy Hughes has been a lobbyist for 17 years; Lee Hughes for 14. They met in 1990 when he was a campaign worker for Pierre Howard, who was running to be lieutenant governor. She was working for the state Senate. After the election, he "lobbied" security for access to the stairway to the cupola in the Capitol dome. He took Amy along and proposed. Until this year, their careers followed separate paths. Lee worked for Howard and in governmental affairs for several clients, then became an independent lobbyist in 2004. Among his clients: Gulfstream Corp., Chatham County, Waste Management Inc., CSX Corp., and Savannah College of Art and Design. Amy held jobs that included lobbying, then worked eight years for Memorial University Medical Center, serving as vice president for governmental affairs. In July, they decided to team up professionally. "We just saw it as an opportunity to work more closely together," Lee said. The collaboration is still a work in progress. Google "Hughes Public Affairs" and you'll learn that their Web site "will be available soon." But you'll see their logo, which depicts the Talmadge bridge from an angle that reveals two H's. The Hughes sketched it on a napkin; it was their first joint effort as business partners. She still represents Memorial and helps with the SCAD account. He still represents his other clients. The Hughes say they provide a public service. "Everybody has a right to be involved in the legislative process," Lee said. "But if you're 250 miles away in Savannah, it's hard to pay attention to what's going on in Atlanta. "It's helpful to have someone looking after your interests." Amy said her work not only helps her client but also improves access to health care. "I love what I do," she said. |