BACKGROUND

For more than a decade, The Shanahan Group has helped clients navigate what Thomas Jefferson called, "The boisterous sea of liberty." The Shanahan Group is a small government relations firm which emphasizes the use of modern technology to more effectively promote the interests of clients. In addition, we are experienced in the use of media relations to advance our client's government relations agenda.

The Shanahan Group has extensive experience representing clients facing legislative and regulatory issues on a local, state and federal level.

Outside The Senate Chamber

Tom Shanahan, founder of The Shanahan Group, has developed a strong expertise in environment-related issues, especially those issues of specific concern to water and wastewater systems. He is also experienced in representing local government entities before higher levels of government. In particular, he has dealt extensively with issues concerning the establishment of regulations, and the implementation of those regulations by State regulatory agencies - as well as analyzing and successfully opposing legislative proposals

whose adoption would nave been contrary to the interests of his clients. At the same time, he has had a hand in promoting the adoption of more than a dozen chapters of law benefitting his clients.

Through representation of such clients as the Suffolk County Water Authority, the Long Island Water Conference, the Erie County Water Authority, Water Authority of Great Neck North, and New York Rural Water Association, Tom Shanahan maintains relationships with Legislators from across the state, as well as contact with members of the New York Congressional delegation.

As a result of representing local government clients, The Shanahan Group possesses a clear understanding of the impact of unfunded mandates, and of the implications of proposed legislation and regulations. In addition, The Shanahan Group has proven successful at coalition building with other interest groups, such as the New York State Conference of Mayors, the New York State Association of Counties, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, in order to achieve common goals.

The Shanahan Group employs up-to-date computer equipment and software, including desktop publishing and presentations software packages, in order to more effectively communicate the positions of its clients. It is a direct goal of The Shanahan Group to exploit technology as a way to represent the client by producing a carefully honed message and deliver it directly to the decision makers who need to hear that message. This same technology is also used to maintain contact with clients, and advise them of developments requiring immediate action or attention.

SPECIFIC SERVICES

The Shanahan Group can assist clients by providing the following services:

• Tracking and Analysis of Legislation – As an Albany-based lobbyist, Tom Shanahan has immediate access to essential information regarding the introduction or amendment of legislation affecting his clients, particularly through year-round contacts with legislative staff. These legislative contacts also enable the Shanahan Group to represent client interests while legislation is still being drafted, which produces a better client outcome.
• Overseeing Specific Legislative Initiatives – Clients frequently require legislation that is directed specifically at solving the problems of that individual client. The Shanahan Group is skilled at finding the appropriate sponsors for such legislation, and overseeing its progress through the legislative process.
• Preparation of Legislative Memoranda – Appropriate memoranda of support or opposition are essential to effectively communicating a client's positions when Albany lawmakers and legislative staff are considering what action to take. The Shanahan Group has years of experience in the preparation of effective legislative memoranda.
• Web Site Design – The Shanahan Group works with an award-winning web site designer to produce web pages that are attractive, well-focused in presenting the client's message, and which can be used as part of a coordinated effort to communicate grass-roots sentiment to decision makers. We have demonstrated, through successful recent lobbying campaigns, that a web site can be employed as an interactive arm of an effective governmental relations effort, not just a stand-alone method of information posting.
• Public Hearings – Another effective way to promote a client's position is by testifying at public hearings held by Legislative Committees or regulatory agencies. The Shanahan Group is skilled at arranging opportunities for its clients to appear at such hearings, and at drafting the appropriate testimony to be presented at the hearing.
• Press Initiatives – Press releases, op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, and press conferences, where appropriate, are all productive methods of promoting an organization's legislative agenda. The Shanahan Group has extensive experience effectively employing these tools.

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