Lobbyists Hitting up Federal Agencies (Marlowe & Company Featured)
By Jim Snyder
The Hill
February 4, 2010
Some lobbyists are spending less time stalking members of Congress and more time reaching out to government bureaucrats as federal agencies regain some lost authority over spending.
Howard Marlowe, who represents a number of towns, cities and universities, said his firm has sought and won more government grants over the past two years than it had in the previous 25.
One in five dollars Marlowe & Associates secures for its clients is now grant money. Just a few years ago, the firm relied entirely on congressional appropriations to meet client needs.
Howard Marlowe Presents to ASBPA, Calls for Larger Coastal Voice
“We are not alone!” That was the message conveyed last week to members of the Texas chapter of the American Shore & Beach Preservation (ASBPA). Delivering a call to action for all coastal interests was Howard Marlowe, Director of Government Relations for the national office of ASBPA.
Marlowe urged beach preservation activists band together with port, navigation and environmental interests in order to flex more political muscle in Washington, DC and state capitals. “What happens at the beach doesn’t stay at the beach,” he said. “What coastal residents do affects their inland neighbors as well as the ocean that lies beyond the shoreline. We have a responsibility to be good coastal stewards and to make sure that Congress and state legislators understand that America’s water resources cannot be allowed to deteriorate.”
By Michael Willis, Public Affairs Advisor
Marlowe & Company Report
December 16, 2009
House of Representatives passed the Jobs for Main Street Act on December 16, 2009. The legislation specifically redirects $75 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) used to bailout financial firms and other businesses to federal infrastructure and job creation projects. It is important to note that the Senate is expected to consider this measure in early January, 2010. This will give local communities a small window of opportunity to evaluate and determine how best federal funds can be utilized.
By Toby Hicks, Legislative Intern
Marlowe & Company Report
December 3, 2009
Until recently the U.S. has shown some of the strongest reluctance of all developed countries to lower its emissions. The common argument against doing so is that it would decrease the U.S.’s international competitive ability. This resistance was most prominently illustrated when, despite becoming a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. decided not to ratify the treaty and be bound by its cap-and-trade system. Cap-and-trade is where a limit to overall U.S. GHG production would be set and firms then compete for the rights to emit portions of it. Subsequent legislative efforts to enact a broad cap-and-trade bill in the U.S. have been blocked in Congress. Now however, two bills – H.R. 2454 the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, and S. 1733 the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act – are being examined by Congress and may be synthesized into law. H.R. 2454 was passed by the House on June 26, 2009 and is currently awaiting Senate action.
Although there are significant differences between the two bills, their goal of causing a significant reduction in GHG emissions through enactment of a cap-and-trade system is identical. If passed, either bill’s impact on local governments would be profound. Restrictions on GHG production will affect many types of commercial firms and, therefore, tax revenues and jobs within towns and cities.
Surf City (NC) Council Unanimously Votes to Renew M&Co. Lobbying Contract
By Amanda Hutcheson
The Star News
December 2, 2009
The town council unanimously approved renewing the contract with Marlowe & Co., a lobbying firm out of Washington, D.C., for an additional year. The firm charges $60,000 a year, which is split evenly among the three island towns.
Councilman Mike Curley, who also serves as the town’s liaison on the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Committee, encouraged the renewal of the contract.
“You can say a lot about lobbyists, but they are Surf City in Washington, D.C.,” Curley said. “I feel if we hadn’t contracted with Marlowe & Co., we wouldn’t be on the scoreboard. They’re very aware of us up there.”
