KATE HAAS is a lawyer and lobbyist specializing in challenging legislative and regulatory issues. She is also a community-relations expert with deep experience organizing coalitions and campaigns for both businesses and political operations. As a former chief of staff and top policy aide to an Idaho congressman, she has nearly a decade of experience on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House, and has worked directly on some of our nation's most complicated issues. Kate is a graduate of the University of Idaho College of Law, where she was named to the Dean's list, served an externship for a U.S. District Court Judge and graduated with top honors. She is on the board of directors of the Treasure Valley YMCA and is an avid trail runner. She and her husband, Bret, have a young son.

20+ years

TCG passed legislation giving Medicaid recipients, many with chronic conditions, easier access to home services, supplies and medical equipment. The legislation was opposed by Department of Social Services and was a target for the agency throughout the session.

TCG was successful in leading a coalition to sustain a veto by the Governor that had overwhelming support by the legislature and the Connecticut Education Association. The legislation would have had unintended negative consequences to students with behavioral health issues. TCG secured its client a position on the working group.

TCG was the driving force behind successfully lobbying the Governor's Office, the Office of Policy and Management, and the Department of Corrections to issue a RFP for inmate medical services at UConn Health. TCG's advocacy on this issue reversed a twenty plus year relationship between UConn Health acting as the sole provider of health services to Connecticut's incarcerated population.

TCG defeated legislation proposed by the Governor's office that had a negative impact to its client. TCG created a legislative campaign plan leveraging the extensive alumni network of Norwich Free Academy, along with organizing a coalition.

TCG has direct lines to the all of Connecticut's Constitutional Officers and their senior staff. Constitutional Officers comprises of the Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of State's offices, and the Treasurer's office.

TCG possesses a strong network within the legislative leadership along key staff members in the four caucuses.

TCG commands far reaching contacts state agency including but not limited to the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, Department of Education, Department of Administrative Services, and the Department of Economic and Community Development.

Alan Deckman is an influential and respected lobbyist at the Connecticut General Assembly and the Executive branch state agencies with over 30 years of experience. His personalized approach to representing clients blends practical business expertise with a thorough knowledge of the legislative and governmental process.

Mr. Deckman is the President and principal owner of the TCORS Capitol Group, LLC. Based in Glastonbury, CT, Mr. Deckman oversees all aspects of the company and client servicing. He directs strategic planning and management of the company, as well as marketing and long-term growth and business opportunities.

Mr. Deckman has successfully developed innovative ways to impact legislative and executive decision-making to help achieve the best results for his company's clients. This proactive approach has produced numerous victories for clients with interests in the state budget and tax matters.

As the senior lobbyist of the TCORS Capitol Group, LLC, Mr. Deckman assists Fortune 500 companies and small Connecticut businesses with complex state and municipal procurement matters. Further, he has resolved many administrative inquiries for clients from a wide range of industries at both the state and local levels of government. Mr. Deckman regularly provides lead identification and relationship marketing services to clients looking to expand their business development efforts within the public and private sectors. As executive director and lobbyist for several Connecticut non-profit educational organizations and institutions, he frequently serves as a media spokesperson and advisor on public policy issues of direct concern to those entities.

Mr. Deckman is also the Founder and President of the Connecticut Blockchain Association, whose mission it is to develop, promote, and advance blockchain technology and to establish Connecticut as a leader for blockchain innovation. The Connecticut Blockchain Association strives to create a unifying advocacy voice for the Blockchain industry in the state of Connecticut. Mr. Deckman also serves as an advisory board member for the Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition.

Born in New London, Connecticut, Mr. Deckman graduated from Assumption College, where he received the distinguished Crown and Shield Award for leadership and service. Subsequently, he earned a master's degree in Public Administration from the Sawyer School of Management at Suffolk University in Boston, where he was also selected to participate in the Dean's Fellowship Program.

DAVID A. SMITH is a partner in the Princeton Public Affairs Group, is a veteran of the public affairs arena and has successfully managed public affairs campaigns impacting auto insurance, life insurance, tort reform and environmental legislative initiatives. Mr. Smith received national acclaim when he was honored with a ""Pollie Award"" by the American Association of Political Consultants and named to their United States ""Public Affairs Team of the Year." Mr. Smith was also named one of the most influential players in New Jersey's Healthcare arena by the Annual HealthSense Listing. Since 2005, Mr. Smith has been a Commissioner on the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (nominated by the Governor for two separate four year terms and confirmed by the NJ Senate) and currently serves as an Officer on the Commission (Secretary). Mr. Smith serves on the National Board of Directors of the Public Affairs Council, and was one of the few contract lobbyists in the Country to be appointed to a National Task Force charged with creating ethical standard for lobbyists throughout the United States. Mr. Smith is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of ProtectingAmerica.org, an advocacy organization Co-chaired by James Lee Witt, former Cabinet member under President Clinton and Admiral James Loy, Deputy Director of Homeland Security under President Bush. Mr. Smith also serves as an Officer (1st Vice President) of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors and also serves on the Executive Committee (Secretary) of The Advocacy Group (TAG). Finally, Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors as an officer (Treasurer) of the State Capitol Insurance Company RRG, the first professional liability company for lobbyists headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mr. Smith has appeared on television and radio stations representing clients' interests, authored dozens of articles on politics/policy issues in New Jersey and is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer at national and state conferences, legislative hearings, meetings and seminars. He has been a consultant to statewide and legislative political campaigns and is a member of the Executive Finance Committee of the Assembly Democratic Leadership Committee as well as the New Jersey State Democratic Committee. Prior to joining the firm in 1995, Mr. Smith served as Director of Policy and Planning for the New Jersey General Assembly Democratic Office. In that capacity, Mr. Smith supervised the partisan staff of all Assembly Committees and Task Forces while serving as senior staff aide to the insurance and commerce legislative committees. He was a Director with the New Jersey Dental Association from 1985 to 1990 and served on several national and state health care and insurance advisory committees.

Mr. Smith was awarded a Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) Degree from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. He is a Graduate Fellow of the Public Affairs Institute, a three year educational program of the Public Affairs Council located in Washington, DC. Mr. Smith also graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from Gettysburg College.

6-10 years

Worked with legislators to pass and hold votes on the 2018 Budget out of the House. Only two House Democrats voted against the final budget.

Worked with labor leaders and community partners on the committee vote and floor fight to kill so called right to work in 2014 and 2016.

Worked with the Speaker's Leadership team to shape the Agenda for House Democrats.

Served as point staff person for the Speaker during budget negotiations with the Governor and his staff.

Scripted floor speeches and scripted questions for committee members during key hearings.

Created the New Hampshire Campaign for Voting Rights which continues to be the leading voice on voting rights issues in the state.

Government Affairs Advisor, Preti Strategies.

Communications and Policy Director, NH Speaker of the House.

Political and Field Director, America Votes New Hampshire.

Education: B.A. Political Science, Emmanuel College. Boston, MA May 2008.

0-5 years

Interceded on behalf of a client with a state agency to resolve compliance matters, working directly with the agency commissioner. In the next budget, successfully appealed the agency's insufficient 5% proposed daily rate increase for the provided services, which resulted in an increase of 37%.

Blocked a state agency's efforts to prevent a client's association members from continuing to conduct business in New Hampshire.

Opened up new opportunities for a renewable energy client by shepherding a bill we created for them through the legislative process to the governor's desk for signature.

As Senate president, I guided policy discussions and negotiations on all major policy issues, including renewable energy, insurance, business regulation and retirement system reform.

Led Senate efforts on budgets for four fiscal years, one of which erased a projected $800 million budget deficit without raising taxes or fees.

Led the Senate Republican Caucus to create policy agendas and then developed effective strategy and tactics that resulted in successful implementation of that agenda, even with a governor of the opposing party.

Senior Policy Advisor at Preti Strategies

Legislative:
President, NH State Senate
Minority Leader, NH State Senate
State Senator - Committee Assignments Included: Commerce; Education (Chair); Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; Health and Human Services; Internal Affairs
Clerk, House Election Law Committee

Business:
Executive Director, HealthTrust (health insurance and public employee benefits risk pool, covering over 70,000 lives)
President and co-Founder, Achieve! Technology (an Inc. 500 company developing regulatory compliance software)


Education:
UMass-Lowell, BS Computer Science

20+ years

TCG passed legislation giving Medicaid recipients, many with chronic conditions, easier access to home services, supplies and medical equipment. The legislation was opposed by Department of Social Services and was a target for the agency throughout the session.

TCG was successful in leading a coalition to sustain a veto by the Governor that had overwhelming support by the legislature and the Connecticut Education Association. The legislation would have had unintended negative consequences to students with behavioral health issues. TCG secured its client a position on the working group.

TCG was the driving force behind successfully lobbying the Governor's Office, the Office of Policy and Management, and the Department of Corrections to issue a RFP for inmate medical services at UConn Health. TCG's advocacy on this issue reversed a twenty plus year relationship between UConn Health acting as the sole provider of health services to Connecticut's incarcerated population.

TCG defeated legislation proposed by the Governor's office that had a negative impact to its client. TCG created a legislative campaign plan leveraging the extensive alumni network of Norwich Free Academy, along with organizing a coalition.

TCG has direct lines to the all of Connecticut's Constitutional Officers and their senior staff. Constitutional Officers comprises of the Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of State's offices, and the Treasurer's office.

TCG possesses a strong network within the legislative leadership along key staff members in the four caucuses.

TCG commands far reaching contacts state agency including but not limited to the Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, Department of Education, Department of Administrative Services, and the Department of Economic and Community Development.

John M. Bailey II has over two decades of experience in government relations and advocacy to the firm. His knowledge of the legislative and state regulatory process, long-standing personal relationships and depth of insight have made him an effective advocate for clients, which have included major national corporations, trade associations, non-profits, and organizations in the areas of education, housing, health care/medical supplies, gaming and waste management/recycling.

Drawing on his broad and extensive experience, John has distinguished himself as a knowledgeable, trusted and effective advocate for his clients in advancing their legislative goals. Prior to joining the firm, John served as Statewide Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Heart Association and has worked for a number of Constitutional officers and elected officials, including Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Congressman Joe Courtney, and Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

Hailing from a family with deep history in both Connecticut and national politics, John's father, Jack Bailey, was Connecticut's longest serving Chief State's Attorney, his grandfather, John M. Bailey, served as head of the Connecticut Democratic Party as well as Chairman of the National Democratic Committee, and his aunt, Barbara B. Kennelly, was a former Connecticut Secretary of State and U.S. Representative. John is the Town Chair for the West Hartford Democratic Town Committee. He has been actively involved in local and statewide campaigns for every election cycle for the past 20 years.