Federal Lobbying

The Becker & Poliakoff Federal lobbying team includes experienced Washington, D.C. insiders who served as Chiefs of Staff to U.S. Congressmen. Omar Franco served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Clarence Williams served for Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL). After years of high level service on Capitol Hill, Omar and Clarence enjoy strong relationships with members and staff from both sides of the aisle.

The team has pursued effective federal relations agendas to their successful conclusion, bringing in federal monies for projects of significant regional and national importance. These successes are the result of the close professional working relationships we have developed with key elected officials, congressional leaders, and members on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Furthermore, our years of congressional experience have resulted in long-standing professional relationships with staff members of many committees in the House and the Senate, which we are able to use to the benefit of our clients

In addition, members of Becker & Poliakoff’s local and state government practices have worked closely with House and Senate leaders, many of whom began their career in local and state government. The Federal lobbying team has extensive experience in issues relating to federal appropriations, heath care, higher education, homeland security, defense, taxation, alternative energy, local government issues and international trade.

Appropriations & Legislative Client Accomplishments

• Miccosukee Tribe, FL - Secured $760,000 in FY09 for the Snake Road Improvements to address significant safety concerns associated with Snake Road (BIA), in the Miccosukee Reservation. In the FY10 bill, the Tribe received funding for $1,750,000 for Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) Safety Improvements project in the Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill. For FY11, $1.1 million for road resurfacing was included in the Omnibus bill that recently failed in Congress.
• North Bay Village, FL - Secured $475,000 in FY09 for a Bus Facility Project within the new Municipal Public Safety Complex. In addition, Omar worked with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office to assist North Bay Village in receiving $4,655,000 from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act for the Force Main project.
• Miami Lakes, FL - Secured $570,000 in FY09 Transportation-HUD bill for vehicle procurement of two hybrid electric vehicles to provide this trolleybus service for the Port.
• Hialeah, FL - Secured $500,000 for street and sidewalk improvements in the FY10 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and $250,000 for the police equipment upgrades in the FY10 Commerce.

In addition to our appropriations accomplishments, the entire B&P team is engaged on a daily basis in support of or opposition to various statutory (Congressional) or regulatory (Executive) policy proposals of critical interest to either our clients or the public at large. Many of these efforts have ultimately resulted in significant savings, operational adjustments, or increased protections for both clients and the consumers involved. Examples of work on these include:

• House Transportation Committee to secure funding for municipal transportation projects as High Priority Projects and water projects in the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA);
• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to secure a 31 percent increase in federal highway funds for the State of Florida in the last transportation authorization bill, SAFETEA-LU. The bill also contained a 146 percent increase for total Florida transit funding and numerous projects throughout Florida;
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on approval of reimbursement for clean-up costs associated with hurricane debris removal; and
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on behalf of several clients and projects.