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Wonk Week Session Recording

The Uneven State and Local Policy Landscape: Data-Driven Insights for Public Affairs

Featuring

Jonathan Scharff, Senior Director | Insights & Strategic Planning, Avoq

Dive into the complexities of monitoring state and local policies across all 50 states. This session will equip you with the tools to track and analyze policy trends, helping you to understand how policy moves from conversation to legislation. Jonathan will also explore how to effectively communicate these insights to stakeholders, ultimately shaping a more strategic and proactive public affairs and lobbying program. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into how political activity shifts during election seasons and how to adapt your strategies accordingly. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your public affairs efforts with data-driven insights.

Watch the Session
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State and Local Policy Insights for Public Affairs with Jonathan Scharff

Navigating the complexities of state and local policies can be daunting, even for public affairs professionals. During Wonk Week, Jonathan Scharff, Senior Director of Insights and Strategy at Avoq, shared his expertise on how to track and analyze legislative trends at the state and local levels.

Scharff brings a deep analytical perspective to his work, helping clients make data-driven decisions across multistate landscapes. In this session, he outlined how businesses and organizations can proactively engage with state and local policies and avoid reactive approaches.

Meet the Expert

Jonathan Scharff has built a reputation as a thought leader in the public affairs space through his work at Avoq, a strategic communications and advocacy firm formed through the merger of Subject Matter Kivvit. His extensive background in insight and strategic planning allows him to advise clients on how to manage the evolving state and local policy landscape.

Scharff specializes in turning complex data into actionable strategies, helping companies understand the policy dynamics in the regions where they operate. His presentation focused on using data insights to inform public affairs strategies, offering a roadmap for how to engage with uneven regulatory landscapes across the U.S.

The Uneven Policy Landscape

Scharff opened his presentation by highlighting the “uneven policy and regulatory landscape” that organizations face at the state and local levels. States are increasingly diverging on critical policy issues, such as clean energy, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment guidelines, and single-use plastic bans. Scharff pointed out that a multistate operating footprint requires companies to adapt to these varying priorities, especially when public opinion and legislation are influenced by local economic and social factors.

For example, while several states have embraced clean energy goals, other regions are pushing back against ESG-driven investment practices. Scharff explained how organizations need to tailor their messaging depending on the state’s policy environment. “The way you talk about your sustainability efforts in California and New Jersey may be completely different than in Florida or Texas,” he noted. Understanding this divergence is key to crafting a winning public affairs strategy.

Tracking Legislative Trends and Issue Proliferation

One of the key themes in Scharff’s presentation was how state-level policies often act as “trendsetters” for the rest of the country. For instance, policies like extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, which originated in California, have since spread to other states like Colorado and Maine. Scharff emphasized that companies need to stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive and compliant.

To illustrate this, Scharff used the example of clean fleet regulations, which require companies to transition to electric vehicle (EV) fleets. While California led the way with early adoption of these regulations, several other states have since followed suit. Scharff advised that companies use data to identify which states are likely to enact similar policies and allocate their public affairs resources accordingly. “Understanding where the legislation is moving allows you to be proactive, not reactive,” he stressed.

Using Data to Inform Strategy

Scharff outlined a step-by-step process for organizations to create a strategic public affairs plan, starting with landscape analysis. This involves gathering data from platforms like Quorum to map out the policy environment across states. From there, companies can build a monitoring program to track legislative developments, helping them identify potential risks and opportunities in real-time.

One of Scharff’s client examples involved monitoring local regulations on single-use plastics in North Carolina. By tracking how certain advocacy groups were pushing for policy changes county by county, Scharff’s team was able to advise the client on when to engage with stakeholders and whether to support or oppose specific initiatives. This real-time data monitoring is key to staying ahead of policy shifts that could impact business operations.

Strategic Engagement and Brand Positioning

Scharff also touched on the importance of aligning brand positioning with public affairs strategy. This is particularly relevant for companies with a large physical presence, such as energy or retail businesses. Scharff explained that these companies need to ensure that local elected officials and community leaders understand their value to the region.

For instance, companies planning infrastructure expansions should work with local stakeholders to build relationships long before any public hearings or permit applications take place. “You need to be transparent about your plans and make sure people understand the benefits of what you’re trying to achieve,” Scharff advised. Aligning brand messaging with local policy dynamics helps build community trust and can smooth the path for business operations.

The Role of Monitoring and Metrics

Scharff concluded by discussing the importance of metrics in public affairs strategies. Metrics not only help track the effectiveness of a campaign but also provide the data needed to adjust strategies as conditions change. For example, monitoring mentions of relevant legislation across states allows companies to identify which elected officials are engaging with certain issues and adapt their approach accordingly.

Scharff highlighted the value of tools like Quorum in providing these insights. Quorum’s data can be used to generate reports on legislative activity, track stakeholder engagement, and create a dashboard for issue monitoring. By combining these data points with broader public affairs insights, companies can stay informed and proactive in their advocacy efforts.

Key Takeaways

  1. Embrace the Uneven Landscape: Public affairs strategies must account for the differences in state and local policies. Organizations need to adapt their messaging and approach to each state’s unique policy environment.
  2. Stay Ahead of Trends: Policies often spread from state to state. Tracking these trends allows companies to engage proactively and shape the conversation before regulations are enacted.
  3. Use Data to Drive Strategy: Landscape analysis and real-time monitoring tools like Quorum provide the insights needed to make informed decisions. Data-driven approaches help organizations allocate resources effectively and avoid surprises.
  4. Align Brand and Public Affairs Strategy: For companies with large operational footprints, aligning brand positioning with public affairs efforts ensures that local stakeholders understand their value.
  5. Measure Success: Metrics are essential for demonstrating the value of public affairs. By tracking engagement, monitoring legislation, and adjusting strategies, companies can show the impact of their advocacy work.

Jonathan’s insights provide a clear roadmap for public affairs professionals looking to navigate the complex world of state and local policy. With the right data-driven approach, organizations can stay ahead of legislative trends and build strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders​.