VCC Magazine Spring 2020

V irginia C apitol C onnections , S pring 2020 13 NRV Putting Passengers A Broad-based Regional Initiative For more information, visit www.nrvpassengerrail.org • Enabling future economic development opportunities • Promoting safer, more efficient travel on the I-81 corridor Passenger train travel to the New River Valley, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing regions Safe, Efficient and Convenient Passenger Rail for a Fast-Growing Region NewRiver Valley RA I L 2 0 2 0 Putting Passengers On Track My Rookie Year By Preston A. Page There is no clear path to becoming a lobbyist, and my path was far from regular. I literally knocked on my firm's door and told them, "I want to be a lobbyist." With some persistence and drive, I finally was offered an internship with my firm Advantus Strategies where my job was to report and learn. Fast forward to July 2019, I was offered a full-time role at Advantus Strategies as a Government Relations Associate, and my dream was finally coming true. After grinding day and night to understand how to best serve my clients, I had my lobbyist credential in hand with one main goal in sight: survive session. The months leading up to the session were like a rollercoaster of change for the General Assembly. Democrats took the House and Senate with a Democratic Governor at the helm. As I watched the freshman class of legislators come in and get acclimated, I slightly felt connected because we all were embarking on a new journey. The governing community also has somewhat of a freshman class that includes aids, staff, and lobbyists. Navigating the legislative waters is always challenging, but with all of the fresh energy now in the space, even seasoned legislators, aides, and lobbyists felt the change. With the legislative process remaining the same and achieving goals paramount on everyone's list, the momentum behind it was new for us all. The General Assembly legislative session is a movie that's been going on for 400 years. You can insert yourself in the movie and work your way up the ranks. Seriously, session is a commitment; days start at 5 AM and don't end until 3 AM, maybe 1:30 AM if I didn't swing by Havanna 59 for a late-night cigar with Bud Oakey. I’m truly blessed to be apart of the Advantus Strategies family. When you have a team that genuinely cares about you and has a shared mission, the process becomes even more fruitful because of those you lean on in times of uncertainty. The session is full of moments of uncertainty and also pride. Working on legislation and ushering it through the journey to becoming a law is nothing less than eventful. You encounter hiccups and setbacks but are frequently rewarded with small wins and new connections. One piece of legislation I was honored to work on was SB199 and others that would modernize Charitable Gaming. Charitable Gaming is the only authorized legal gambling a non-profit or social organization can conduct. We see American Legions, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, and Elk’s lodges engaged in this form of Gaming to support their missions. With the influx of other gaming machines in the Commonwealth, the charities were taking a severe hit to their fundraising numbers, and the current restrictions on Charitable Gaming haven’t been touched in years. It was amazing being able to help the charities modernize the code and provide flexibility for these organizations to continue to raise money to support their mission and communities. The joy on our clients faces after going through the roller coaster of session, and knowing your legislation is going to the Governor to get signed makes the grind worth it. I love government, and being a public servant will always be who I am as a person. Being a lobbyist is not all the media makes out for us to be evil. We all have a role in this process, and to think about it, if you’re fighting for any change, then you’re a lobbyist. Those who want to know more about what lobbyists really do, talk to one. We all have different expertise and niches, but one thing rings true among all of us. We love the game. For any young person looking for a possible career path, don’t count out Government Relations. I’m excited about what the future holds and I’m looking forward to the continued evolution of the General Assembly and The Commonwealth of Virginia. Preston A. Page grew up in Newport News. He is a graduate of Old Dominion University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Page is a Government Relations Associate at Advantus Strategies, LLC, and serves public and private sector clients with legislative and business services. V