Pac/West Lobby Group

10/13/2026

Scott McDowell, city manager of the small municipality of Brownsville, was on KSLM Radio discussing the Small Municipalities Advocacy Coalition (SMAC).

Brownsville and a growing number of other small cities have joined together to form the SMAC to lobby the Legislature on issues that have a particularly significant impact on small cities. Scott says while large cities like Portland and Eugene have a strong presence in the Legislature, smaller cities are often left behind.

SMAC wants to advocate for that very large cohort of cities that are often an afterthought in the discussion. He discusses how other small cities can join the coalition for the upcoming session.

Here is the interview:

KSLM Radio - News Talk Radio for Salem, Oregon and the Willamette Valley. Listen live at 1220 AM or 104.3 FM.

10/04/2026

These events are some of the most rewarding parts of association management work.

It gives us the opportunity to do more than manage meetings, communications and logistics. We get to be on the ground, helping our clients connect directly with the people and communities they serve.

Great morning with the Salem Fire Department and Salem Fire Foundation, bringing families into the fire station to meet with first responders, and building those relationships before an emergency ever happens.

This is the kind of work that makes community engagement real.

09/14/2026

Data centers have become the hot button issue of this election cycle in Oregon. Rick Metsger gets a little help to break down the issue.

Few things are less popular than data centers these days. Just this week, Gov. Tina Kotek announced a moratorium on data centers on state land. But how big of a deal, really, will data centers be during this election season? Political Analyst Rick Metsger gets his answer from the source in this week...

09/08/2026

This weekend! Scramble Fore Food golf tournament at Big River Golf Course! Help make a difference for families in Eastern Oregon by providing food boxes, backpack meals, and transitional housing.

Eastern Oregon Mission Martha's House Hermiston

⛳ Community Spotlight: Title Sponsor

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Pac/West Lobby Group for being the Title Sponsor of our 2026 Scramble Fore Food Golf Fundraiser! 💙💚

Your generous support is helping Eastern Oregon Mission continue providing food, resources, and hope to families and individuals in our community. Because of partners like you, we can make a greater impact and help ensure that no one in our community has to face difficult times alone.

We are truly grateful for your investment in our mission and for helping make this year’s tournament a success!

🏌️ SCRAMBLE FORE FOOD 2026
📅 September 12, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM
📍 Big River Golf Course – Umatilla, Oregon

Thank you, Pac/West Lobby Group, for helping us make a difference—one family, one meal, and one life at a time!

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day!

Today, we celebrate the people whose hard work, dedication, and determination help move our businesses, organizations, and communities forward.

To everyone who shows up, puts in the work, and makes a difference—thank you for all that you do. We hope you enjoy a well-deserved Labor Day! 💙

09/02/2026

National politics gets most of the attention. But many of the decisions that affect our lives every day are made much closer to home.

With two Marion County Commission seats on the ballot this year, this forum is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the candidates — in their own words — about their priorities, their ideas and where they stand on the issues that matter here in our community.

There’s still time to get a ticket and join us on September 14. Come hear from the candidates, ask questions and get informed before you vote.

Local elections matter. Showing up informed matters too.

08/31/2026

We’re proud to share that our Government Affairs Specialist, Brayden Sparkman, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Darian’s Gift.

Darian’s Gift is dedicated to supporting children and families facing pediatric cancer through financial assistance and moments of joy. We know Brayden’s commitment to service and leadership will make a lasting impact, and we are excited to see him contribute to the organization’s mission.

Please join us in congratulating Brayden on this well-deserved appointment.

08/12/2026

At Pac/West, one of the things we value most about public affairs is helping create space for thoughtful conversations — not just during the legislative process, but long after a bill becomes law.

That’s why we’re proud to continue working with the Coalition for a Healthy Oregon on "The Real Work Begins," a six-part series examining Oregon’s implementation of the new Medicaid community engagement requirements.

Part 2 explores a simple but important idea:

Implementation doesn’t begin when the first notice is mailed. It begins during preparation.

Whether the subject is healthcare, transportation, energy, housing, or economic development, the same principle applies: successful public policy depends on the often-invisible work that happens before the public ever sees the outcome.

Thoughtful governance isn’t about having every answer on day one. It’s about preparing well, communicating clearly, and creating systems that can learn and improve over time.

We’re grateful to partner with organizations that are committed to elevating the conversation around public policy—not through partisanship, but through thoughtful implementation and practical problem-solving.

https://thepoliticalcenter.org/2026/08/12/the-real-work-begins-navigating-oregons-medicaid-implementation-2/

When does implementation actually begin?

Most people would probably say it starts when the first notices are mailed, the first systems go live, or the first members begin asking questions.

But thoughtful implementation begins much earlier than that.

It begins with preparation.

Long before anyone experiences a new policy, organizations are already training staff, strengthening partnerships, testing systems, asking difficult questions, and preparing to learn from real-world experience.

That’s the focus of Part 2 of "The Real Work Begins," our six-part series exploring Oregon’s implementation of the new Medicaid community engagement requirements.

This series isn’t about revisiting the legislative debate. It’s about encouraging thoughtful conversations around implementation, governance, and the work required to serve Oregon communities well.

We hope you’ll read it, and we’d love to hear your thoughts.

https://thepoliticalcenter.org/2026/08/12/the-real-work-begins-navigating-oregons-medicaid-implementation-2/

08/07/2026

Most people think a public affairs firm’s work ends when the legislature adjourns.

In reality, that’s often when some of the most important work begins.

Passing legislation is only one part of the process. Helping clients, policymakers, agencies, providers, and stakeholders thoughtfully navigate implementation is where policy ultimately succeeds or falls short.

That’s why Pac/West Lobby Group is proud to be working alongside the Coalition for a Healthy Oregon on a new six-part thought leadership series exploring Oregon’s implementation of the federal Medicaid community engagement requirements established by H.R. 1.

The goal isn’t to revisit the political debate. It’s to elevate the conversation about governance, implementation, and stewardship — because regardless of where people stand on the policy itself, thoughtful implementation matters.

At Pac/West, we believe public affairs doesn’t end when a bill becomes law. It continues through implementation, stakeholder engagement, rulemaking, education, and the long-term work of helping public policy achieve its intended outcomes.

We’re proud to be part of that conversation.

Read Part I here: https://thepoliticalcenter.org/2026/08/04/the-real-work-begins-navigating-oregons-medicaid-implementation/

What happens after Washington makes a decision that Oregon didn’t make?

Congress has enacted new Medicaid community engagement requirements through H.R. 1. Oregon is now responsible for implementing those federal requirements, even as many people continue to disagree about the policy itself.

That raises a different question: How do we implement major policy changes thoughtfully?

Over the next six months, we'll be exploring that question through a series on governance, implementation, member experience, measurement, and stewardship. The goal isn’t to revisit the political debate. It’s to think about how Oregon can carry out its responsibilities in a way that’s thoughtful, transparent, and worthy of public trust.

Whether you supported H.R. 1 or opposed it, implementation still matters.

Part 1: Implementation Deserves Its Own Conversation.

Link to story in comments 👇

https://thepoliticalcenter.org/2026/08/04/the-real-work-begins-navigating-oregons-medicaid-implementation/

07/29/2026

We’re proud to support organizations like Rotary that are making a meaningful difference in communities across Oregon.

Our own Chief Communications Officer, Daniel Wattenburger, is honored to serve as President-Elect of the Hermiston Rotary Club, helping advance Rotary’s longstanding mission of service above self.

Thank you to the Hermiston Rotary Club and its members for all you do to strengthen your community.

Thank you Pac/West Lobby Group for sponsoring a court at the Watermelon Slam Pickleball Tournament. Your investment in the community is so appreciated. And better luck to Daniel next in the bracket!

Rotary District 5100 ShelterBox ShelterBox USA