Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022 15 Gaffney, Bennett and Associates, the state's largest lobbying firm, said Cronin has a lot of influence in the state Capitol and that few can make their case like she can. He recalled how Cronin would orga- nize legislator visits to local package store businesses to hear their side of an issue. "She organizes the community that's either affected by potential legis- lation or legislation that was passed," Aresimowicz said. "She engages with legislators, which I think is incredibly important and effective. She knows the system, knows the process and knows how important individual connections are." Cronin and fellow longtime lobbyist Paddi LeShane are trailblazers of sorts. Both started in the industry when few women were influence peddling inside the Capitol. LeShane, who started lobbying for the Easter Seals Society in 1978 and is now CEO of Hartford-based government relations firm Sullivan & LeShane Inc., has known Cronin professionally since the 1980s. "She's got all the pieces of the puzzle that a lobbyist needs to be successful," LeShane said. "She obvi- ously knows how to work the building and how to persuade people. I also think you can't be successful unless you are willing to entertain the opinions of others. She does that just as well." Spirited debate Cronin will need to muster all her influence amid this year's wine-sales debate. Pesce, the food association pres- ident, said his group's stepped-up HIGHEST-EARNING LOBBYING FIRMS IN CT (2021-2022) FIRM TOTAL COMPENSATION Gaffney, Bennett & Associates $10,709,835.16 Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. $4,460,453.91 Capitol Strategies Group, LLC $4,307,507.69 Connecticut Government Relations Group of Robinson+Cole LLC $4,068,100.09 Capitol Consulting LLC $3,834,064.99 FOCUS Government Affairs @ UKS $3,717,309.17 Brown Rudnick Government Relations Strategies, LP $3,277,451.25 Kowalski Group $2,554,472.26 Roy & Leroy Government Relations LLC $2,517,352.04 Rome Smith Lutz & Kowalski $2,462,033.36 Source: Office of State Ethics Communicator Compensation Summary efforts include hiring an outside lobbying firm to supplement their work, asking customers to contact their legislators and having in-store signs and loudspeaker announcements encouraging people to sign petitions. Pesce said consumers want the convenience of being able to purchase wine at grocery stores, which are already permitted to sell beer. He said expanded sales will grow the market and have an overall positive economic impact on the state. A poll paid for by the association shows an overwhelming majority of Connecticut residents approve wine sales in grocery stores, he added. As part of its stepped-up efforts, CFA will present an analysis to lawmakers on Tennessee's market that shows wine sales in supermarkets wouldn't put package stores out of business. Since 2017, the state of Tennessee has added 65 package stores, despite permitting grocery store wine sales in 2016, he said. "We are looking at Tennessee because we think it's apples to apples and that this is the best indicator of what will happen here," said Pesce, who noted grocery stores are facing their own challenges coming out of the pandemic. Cronin counters that package stores make most of their money through wine sales, and that competing with grocery stores would hurt their businesses. Cronin also said there is a small business argument that doesn't always get through, especially among younger people. "Young people like everything delivered and convenient," she said. "They think the convenience factor outweighs the small business factor and this is something we are working on. Many of these package stores are owned by immigrants that came here from other places to purchase a store and achieve the American dream." In response to the food association's strong lobbying efforts, the beverage alcohol industry has formed a coalition of various package store and alcohol wholesaler groups to engage in a public relations campaign. They've hired a PR firm that is creating media ads and doing other public outreach. Package stores have also launched a website to garner consumer support. Cronin said the issue is a personal one to her. "I know these (package store owners) and I know their issues and it's very frustrating when you put your heart and soul into a business and then somebody wants to change the rules, and your whole business plan gets changed," she said. THE FUTURE of DOWNTOWN HARTFORD THE SOCIETY ROOM TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2023 HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL Presents Featuring FOR TICKETS GO TO HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS

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