Why it Matters
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee terminated its lobbying contract with Paragon Government Relations Inc., effective June 30. The school spent $500,000 on lobbying over the past four quarters, with Paragon representing one of three firms handling its federal advocacy.
The university continues to work with two other firms on its federal advocacy: Van Scoyoc Associates Inc. and BGR Government Affairs LLC.
The Big Picture
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's lobbying priorities shifted substantially over its seven-year engagement with Paragon. The university initially focused on NIH funding and endowment excise tax issues in the first half of 2019, but beginning in the third quarter of 2019, graduate medical education became the dominant focus of the lobbying effort.
The Endowment Excise Tax issue arose in the context of broader tax legislation. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and included provisions affecting endowments at educational institutions. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's lobbying on that issue extended through the first half of 2019.
The university has also lobbied on a range of other issues beyond those handled by Paragon, including budget and appropriations, medical and disease research, education, health, veterans, natural resources, and clean air and water quality matters over the past five years.
The Bottom Line
With Paragon ending its representation, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will continue advancing its federal priorities through Van Scoyoc Associates and BGR Government Affairs.
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