Chesapeake Bay Foundation Issues Lobbying RFP

Provide lobbying services for non-profit environmental group, primarily in relation to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Pennsylvania gubernatorial administration. The awarded contract will be for 1 year; starting on January 1, 2020 and concluding on December 31, 2020.

Background:

Serving as a watchdog, we fight for effective, science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Our motto, “Save the Bay,” is a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake’s six-state, 64,000-square-mile watershed, which is home to more than 18 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals.

With offices in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia and 15 field centers, CBF leads the way in restoring the Bay and its rivers and streams. For more than 50 years, we have created broad understanding of the Bay’s poor health, engaged public leaders in making commitments to restore the Chesapeake, and fought successfully to create a new approach to cleanup that features real accountability—the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint.

But the Bay is still a system dangerously out of balance. We continue to engage in education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration to turn the tide and leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.

Scope of Work:

Position CBF for the second half of the 2019-2020 General Assembly session, including working with committee staff and the Administration.  Priority legislative issues to be addressed include environmental policy, advocacy for or defense against any attacks on the Clean Water Blueprint (particularly stormwater and agriculture issues), and state funding for implementation of Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.           

• Work with CBF staff to bolster our bipartisan relationships with key members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Pennsylvania Senate and educate legislators on the “pace” necessary to fully implement Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Blueprint.
• Develop and oversee existing strategies for securing patrons (and co-patrons) for necessary legislation and/or budget amendments to implement priorities.
• Secure support from Secretaries and Executive Branch for legislative and funding priorities. Secure commitments from the Wolf Administration to oppose the legislation if necessary.
• Assist with the analysis and vetting of potential CBF board of trustee members from PAttend relevant committee and subcommittee meetings of appropriations committees, as well as relevant standing committees.
• Review and advise on legislative research, drafting, and testimony before General Assembly committees/subcommittees.
• Work with CBF staff in the review of other legislation introduced in the 2019-2020 General Assembly that relates to water quality, environmental and agricultural issues, as well as budget issues related to those topics; prioritize and develop positions on selected bills.
• Assist CBF with the design and implementation of effective legislative decision-maker trips, receptions and/or events.
• Advise CBF on follow-up activities with the General Assembly and the Executive Branch, including, but not limited to, membership lobby day or other appropriate activities.

Due Date:

November 8, 2019

Address:

Trisha Salvia, tsalvia@cbf.org

Lobbying PR firms include MWWPR and APCO Worldwide.