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City’s lobbyist reports progress in Austin and Washington, schedules March advocacy trips
Summary
EMC Strategy Group reported regular engagement with the city, said it has scheduled Austin and Washington delegations for March and described early traction on a TxDOT discussion; the group said it will support city priorities on transportation, public safety and economic development.
Ernie Gonzalez of EMC Strategy Group updated the Pecos City Council on the firm’s state and federal lobbying efforts at the Feb. 13 meeting and outlined planned trips to Austin and Washington, D.C.
Gonzalez said EMC has met multiple times with city leadership and has been coordinating with State Representative Eddie Morales and State Senator Cesar Blanco on city priorities. He told the council EMC attended the opening day of the legislative session and has already discussed a list of City/EDC/County priorities with legislative staff. He said the mayor, city manager, EDC director and county judge have participated in coordinated discussions.
Gonzalez reported "a little traction" on a street-relief issue involving TxDOT and said the senator contacted TxDOT senior leadership to encourage discussion; the matter, he said, is now in talks between TxDOT, the city manager, the EDC director and the county judge. Gonzalez said he expects an Austin “day” March 5–6 with a delegation and meetings at the House and Senate; he also said a Washington delegation is scheduled for March 9–13 to meet federal committee staff and members of the Texas congressional delegation regarding homeland security, rural development and transportation.
Gonzalez emphasized that some of the lobbying work happens between trips and that having local elected officials meet delegation members in Austin and Washington helps open doors. He said EMC intends to visit Pecos monthly and to bring additional team members to future council meetings.
