Responding to the public’s soured perception of lobbying and spurred by looming legislation in September, associations are taking their message outside the D.C. Beltway during the congressional recess, encouraging their members to engage lawmakers in what may be a shift towards a greater emphasis on grassroots lobbying all year round. “Associations have to be doing this. They have to be communicating more and engaging grassroots more because the threats are there,” said John Gay, former head of government relations at the National Restaurant Association and now a consultant. “The issues are as hot as ever. The small business community [perceives they are] under assault,”… Read More