Pac/West Lobby Group

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

07/29/2026

Imagine your school district invited you to play the game: Keep. Stop. Start.

That’s exactly what happened today. We were invited by the Salem-Keizer School District to participate in a community focus group helping shape its 10-year vision for the future of our schools. One of the exercises asked each participant to identify one thing the district should keep, one thing it should stop, and one thing it should start.

Here’s what we shared:

KEEP: CTEC—but don’t just keep it. Build five more. We believe education should help students become self-sufficient adults who can contribute meaningfully to their community. Programs like CTEC connect learning with practical skills and the competencies employers are looking for.

START: Teach students the difference between using AI to augment their work versus using it to cheat. Over the next decade, AI literacy will increasingly move from being a competitive advantage to a baseline expectation in the workplace.

STOP: Accepting a culture where students are counting down the days until they can leave the system. Beyond issues with struggling students, even many of the highest-achieving students are trying to graduate as quickly as possible so they can also leave. That’s not just an academic issue—it’s a cultural one.

Now we’re curious…

If your local school district asked you to play Keep. Stop. Start., what would your three answers be?

07/20/2026

Most victories come and go with little fanfare.

We had the privilege of representing Bay Area Hospital through one of the most challenging legislative efforts I’ve ever been part of, helping to restructure $45m of existing debt in a 5-week session, in the face of formidable opposition from a powerful lobby sector with a lot of muscle.

There were countless moments when it looked like the effort might fail, but thanks to an extraordinary team and a lot of perseverance, we crossed the finish line (by one vote) on the final day of session.

This wasn’t about winning a policy debate. It was about helping preserve a hospital that serves Oregon’s South Coast and the surrounding communities that depend on it.

I’m grateful to Bay Area Hospital for the trust they placed in us, to the many legislators from both parties who worked tirelessly to find a solution, and especially to Representative Rob Nosse, whose determination and leadership never wavered, even when it seemed like the effort might fall apart.

Moments like this are a reminder that public policy isn’t just about bills and votes. At its best, it’s about people—helping protect the institutions our communities depend on.

It will have a permanent place in my office, as a direct reminder of why we do what we do.

07/17/2026

There’s something pretty magical about watching young people discover what they’re capable of.

That’s why Pac/West Lobby Group is honored to be the presenting sponsor of Children's Educational Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

Behind every performance are countless hours of rehearsals, volunteers, families, and educators pouring into these kids—not just to put on a great show, but to help them grow into confident, resilient young adults.

Supporting organizations like CET is an investment in our community’s future, and we’re grateful to play a small part in helping these talented young performers shine.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We can’t wait to see the magic happen. 🎭✨

07/05/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July!

As America celebrates its 250th Anniversary, we reflect on the values that have united our nation for generations—freedom, opportunity, and community.

Wishing you a safe, meaningful, and memorable Independence Day with family and friends. ❤️🤍💙

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all the dads, father figures, mentors, and role models who make a difference every day. 💙

06/19/2026

Juneteenth serves as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the importance of equity, opportunity, and community.

Today, we honor the past, recognize progress, and look toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

06/19/2026

If your members aren’t hearing from you on video, there’s a good chance they’re not hearing from you at all.

Most trade associations aren’t competing against other associations anymore. They’re competing against Netflix, TikTok, podcasts, streaming services, social media, and everything else fighting for people’s attention.

That’s the reality membership organizations face in 2026.

People still want advocacy. They still want networking. They still want professional development and community.

What’s changed isn’t the value proposition. What’s changed is how people consume information.

Most younger professionals aren’t combing through email newsletters looking for updates. Their inboxes are overflowing, and many only check them when they have to. Organizations have to meet members where they are—on their phones, in their social feeds, through podcasts, video, and the platforms they already use every day.

That’s the central challenge of this generational and technological transition facing membership organizations today.

That’s one reason we’ve been working with the Mid Valley Association of REALTORS to expand how they engage members, including a new monthly board recap video series featuring board leaders like Jordan Hill.

While many people know Pac/West for government affairs and public policy, association management is another area where our team spends a tremendous amount of time. From board governance and strategic planning to member communications and engagement, our job is helping organizations remain relevant, connected, and valuable to the people they serve.

This video is a small example of a much larger shift happening across the association world.

Meeting members where they are isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Over the last decade, associations have adapted in countless ways—from modernizing bylaws to allow electronic voting to embracing virtual meetings and digital engagement tools. Communicating through video is simply the next step in that evolution.

The goal hasn’t changed. Associations still exist to inform, connect, and advocate for their members. The challenge is making sure those messages are reaching people in the formats they actually use every day.

Proud of our team, our partners at MeLe Media, and the leadership at MVAR for embracing new ways to connect with their membership.