Public Affairs / Issue Research

MB Public Affairs

At MB Public Affairs, Inc., we provide an effective approach to public affairs research that gives our clients a clear understanding of the political landscape and its potential impact upon their business or political goals. We help clients analyze legislative and regulatory proposals made by state and local governments, explore the likely effects of such proposals, develop policy alternatives and present other strategies to achieve a positive outcome. The principals at MB Public Affairs, Inc. draw upon our experience and issue expertise to provide research to ballot measure committees, lobbying efforts, issue advocacy campaigns and other public affairs efforts.

IMPACT ANALYSIS

• Fiscal Impact – Calculating the expected costs to government budgets from legislative proposals (or from proposed regulations or local ordinances). For example, if a legislative proposal banned a product or material, what would the replacement cost be to the General Fund from agencies using the item and how would that impact the fiscal committee analysis of the proposal?
• Consumer Impact – Analyzing the effects that legislative proposals would have on consumers and end users. For example, does proposed legislation create new costs for small businesses? Would that proposed legislation eliminate consumer choice or negatively impact specific demographic groups? What are the potential unforeseen impacts on consumers or other groups?
• Existing Policy Impact – Assessing how legislative proposals affect existing government programs and other public policy priorities. For example, does proposed legislation negatively impact popular programs such as recycling? Do alternative products favored by proposed legislation have even greater environmental impacts? Are there social or environmental benefits from eliminating a regulatory barrier?

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

• Historical / Geographic Research – Summarizing similar legislative proposals that have been considered in California during prior years, that have been considered in other states, or that have been considered at the federal level. For example, has similar legislation passed in another state led to a series of unforeseen and negative consequences (or not provided the promised positive benefit)?
• Alternative Proposals – Presenting more viable, less onerous and less costly options to a legislative proposal. For example, could the intent of the proposed legislation be pursued by means of an alternative approach that doesn’t impact small business owners (or hurt seniors or gut recycling programs)?
• Expert Opinion – Assembling expert opinion about legislative proposals. For example, could persuasive materials from academia, government and non-profit organizations be compiled in support of or opposition to proposed legislation? Similarly, could recognized experts be engaged to provide in-depth background research in support of or opposition to a specific proposal?