Hartford Business Journal

HartfordBusiness.com | January 25, 2021 | Hartford Business Journal 19 Learn more about the honorees at www.ctcpas.org/CTCPAWomen. Women Congratulations to this year's exceptional female CPAs, honored with CTCPA Women awards by the 6,000-member strong Connecticut Society of CPAs. Susan Brosseau Ädelbrook Behavioral and Developmental Services Dana M. Silva Ion Bank Heather Ziegler Deloitte LLP Distinguished Service Awardees Women to Watch Awardees Anne M. Comer CRC Group Jenna M. Allegretto Marcum LLP Erica Czajkowski Deloitte LLP Marissa R. LaBelle RSM US LLP Executive Sponsors Media Sponsor CTCPA Member Gold Sponsors CTCPA Member Silver Sponsors The Horton Team FOCUS: LOBBYING said. Lobbyists aren't the only ones challenged by the new reality. Ritter said remote legislating is bound to slow down the normal pace of business over the coming months for lawmakers too, particularly during the flurry of negotiations over budget and policy bills later in the session. "Negotiations are always easier in person," he said. "It's hard to read body language on a computer, sometimes people speak over each other or they break up, but we will get things done, it will just be harder to get things done." Slower process With legislators slowed by remote processes, they are expected to prioritize what legislation they raise, which means interest groups may have to compete for limited opportunities. However, some are anticipating that there will be more provisions crammed into bills by the time they get toward the finish line. That puts additional pressure on lobbyists, said FOCUS' Malitsky, who referred to the potentially thicker bills as "aircraft carriers." "It makes our job perhaps that much more critical," he said. Malcynsky, of Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, said many lobbying clients understand they should temper their expectations for legislative wins this session, especially with a lot of focus likely to be on policies meant to lessen pandemic-related human and economic suffering. But that doesn't mean clients are sitting the session out either. "Clients with a perennial presence at the Capitol realize they still need to be in the game, whatever the rules are," Malcynsky said. "Things haven't changed in that regard." House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) said he's concerned that lawmakers being further removed from the public could embolden support for legislative initiatives that his party and constituents oppose, such as a public-option-style healthcare plan. "I am concerned with the number of bills Democrats are raising and the issues they are going to pursue, because we have to recognize that public input is more limited," Candelora said. The bright side While there are lots of cons to a remote legislative session, there are some pros too, depending on who Jay F. Malcynsky Patrick McCabe you ask. For example, the public can testify at bill hearings from the comfort of their homes, without having to alter their regular schedules to drive to the Capitol and wait in a potentially lengthy line of speakers. Every legislative meeting will also be streamed online this year, as opposed to only certain meetings in prior sessions. For those who earn their living from the legislative session, the remote nature this year may mean there's technically no reason to physically be in Connecticut at all. Ward, the marijuana lobbyist, said he may travel to Hawaii in the coming weeks and do his lobbying work remotely. "For me, this is kind of a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity that I have to be able to work anywhere in the world," he said. Reporting period Total spending on lobbying services Top three spenders 2019-2020 $90 million Eversource ($1.7 million), CT Hospital Assoc. ($1.7 million), CT Assoc. of Health Plans ($1.1 million) 2017-2018 $94.3 million MGM Resorts ($5.8 million), CT Hospital Assoc. ($2.9 million), Eversource ($1.9 million) 2015-2016 $87.5 million CT Hospital Assoc. ($6.9 million), Spectra Energy Transmission ($2.4 million), Eversource ($1.6 million) A snapshot of CT's lobbying industry Here's a breakdown of how much companies and other special interests have spent on lobbying services in recent years. Source: Lobbyist filings submitted to the Office of State Ethics

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