The New Administration’s First Year & Path Forward
Paul Kanitra, founder and president of Lobbyit.com, a Washington, D.C. lobbying firm, talked about the first year of President Donald Trump’s administration and what could be expected in year two.
Paul, whose firm lobbies for the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association, set out founding his company to set it apart from other lobbyists, he said, to “take the negatives and turn them into positives.” Thousands of organizations -- corporations, local governments, nonprofits -- needed a voice in Washington and couldn’t afford one or thought it was too difficult to have one, he said.
“Our firm focuses on transparency and deliverables and mainly letting the stories of our client carry the day,” said Paul. His firm represents about 40 clients, mostly associations and nonprofit organizations -- not billion-dollar, multinational corporations. “We find that telling the stories and standing on those merits are what really carry the day.”
“We’ve been able to have a lot of success up on Capitol Hill by going in and talking about the players involved and talking about their involvement in the community and the effect that it could have on Main Street U.S.A.,” added Paul, if over-burdensome legislation or regulations are implemented. His team’s focus is making federal lawmakers and officials aware of the potential impacts on the clients they represent.
We find that telling the stories and standing on those merits are what really carry the day
The Trump administration is in the news regularly, he noted. Last year was a year of fighting among Republicans and even among White House staff and advisers. Democrats are having a field day with the negative spotlight on their foes, “and it’s created a lot of chaos,” said Paul.
Despite all the negative media attention on Trump and Republicans, however, 2017 “was a very good year for business,” he noted. A Republican president and a Republican-controlled Congress -- “That’s always conducive to good business,” said Paul.
Businesses are healthy. The stock market has risen and unemployment is down. So far the Trump administration has “created a great environment for business,” he added. Federal agencies are focused on collaborating with the private sector, “which is always a good thing.” The White House has undertaken a number of policy moves to ensure that government does not impede progress by industry.
28 WESTERN PALLET