Virginia Business Magazine Names Vectre a Top Lobbying Firm
January 2, 2002
This year Virginia Business magazine asked legislators to rate Virginia’s top lobbying groups. Vectre was the only lobbying firm rated as among the ten most influential lobbying organizations. I think this is a tribute to the team here at Vectre and their hard work and effective efforts. I was particularly pleased that this rating was based on the evaluation of legislators.
Top ten most effective lobbying groups
Ranked by legislators; listed in descending order by PAC expenditures
http://www.virginiabusiness.com/magazine/yr2002/jan02/ga_lobbies2.shtml
- Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, based in Richmond, represents 62 members accounting for 100 hospitals, plus long-term care facilities and health plans
Key issues: Emergency preparedness and proper coordination among state agencies and hospitals; work force issues such as staffing shortages in hospitals; healthcare deregulation/Certificate of Public Need - Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, based in Richmond, represents 585 new car and truck dealers
Key issues: VADA doesn't have a specific agenda this session, but will monitor legislation that affects the business climate and economy - Home Builders Association of Virginia, based in Richmond, represents 4,500-plus member firms
Key issues: growth management; building permits - Medical Society of Virginia, based in Richmond, represents 8,000 physicians
Key issues: emergency preparedness; funding academic health centers; healthcare deregulation/Certificate of Public Need - Dominion, based in Richmond, represents 2 million Virginia customers
Key issues: implementation of electric utility deregulation; health care costs for business; K-12 and higher education improvement. - Virginia Education Association, based in Richmond, represents 60,000 teachers and retirees
Key issues: Raises for teachers; improving the multiplier in the Virginia Retirement Fund affecting teachers; K-12 education initiatives - National Rifle Association, based in Fairfax, represents 115,000 Virginia members; state affiliate Virginia Sports Shooting Association has 4,200 members with much crossover
Key issues: local preemption laws that affect state gun laws; easing restrictions on concealed weapons law - Verizon, Virginia operations based in Richmond, represents 2.8 million customers and 4.4 million access lines
Key issues: Monitoring any efforts to stimulate further deployment of broadband technology - Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, based in Richmond, represents 36,000 farm families
Key issues: Funding for conservation and best management practices; cabinet-level post for agriculture and forestry secretary; funding for the agriculture vitality program. - The Vectre Corporation, based in Richmond, represents clients including Sentara Healthcare, American Home Products and Old Dominion Highway Contractors. Municipal clients include cities of Portsmouth and Virginia Beach
Key issues: State budget; Healthcare deregulation/COPN; pharmaceutical legislation; worker's compensation.