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Shopping Centers Today -> June 2004
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ICSC’s Government Relations department, in Washington, D.C., represents ICSC members at the local, state and federal government levels on legislative and regulatory issues that impact the shopping center industry. Government Relations staff keep tabs on legislative, regulatory and political activity through their widespread government contacts, and the use of consultants in Washington and state capitals around the country. Staff also maintain contact with ICSC members and other real estate associations.
What
we do — The Government Affairs office builds relationships
through such targeted meetings for members and public officials
as the annual Strategic Leadership Summit. Similar legislative days
are organized at state capitals, and outreach with local government
officials is advanced through the Alliance Program. The office is
also responsible for the ICSC Political Action Committee (ICSC PAC),
which provides financial support for shopping-center-friendly candidates
at the federal level. When there is pending legislation or a critical
vote, ICSC contacts its members through an email-based grassroots
mobilization program called the Shopping Center Action Network, or SCAN.
Current
hot issues — Extension of the “make available”
provision of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (TRIA) is
at the top of this year’s federal legislative agenda. The provision
requires all primary insurers to make terrorism coverage available
to their insured and will expire at the end of this year unless
the Treasury Department extends it by September. Other issues: A
petition promoting the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment to
the Florida Constitution that would require local elections on the
more than 12,000 development plan amendments filed each year. A
number of bills to limit the size and product mix in big box stores.
Eminent domain restrictions on the ability of government to assemble
private property for use by a private entity for retail economic development.
Who
we are — Betsy R. Laird, staff vice president of
Federal Government Relations, directs ICSC’s activities before
the U.S. Congress and executive branch and manages ICSC’s PAC.
Herbert L. Tyson, staff vice president for Government Relations,
oversees state and local government activity. Cynthia Stewart, director
of local government relations, is the primary liaison between ICSC
members and local government leaders on industry matters. Carla
Lochiatto is manager of state government relations, responsible
for monitoring legislation on the state level. Wayne Mehlman is
director of economic issues. Kent Jeffreys is director of environmental
issues. Judy Laniak is senior PAC manager and government relations
administrator and oversees the budget and meeting planning. Stephanie
Spooner is communications manager and produces such publications
as the SCAN newsletter, GR Insider and the Government Relations Report.
Getting
in touch — Government Relations, 1033 N. Fairfax
St., Ste. 404, Alexandria, Va. 22314. (703) 549-7404, Fax: (703)
549-8712. govrel@icsc.org
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