Legislative Services

TFG has been instrumental in developing and implementing legislative and policy strategies to authorize and utilize federal agency capabilities and resources in a manner designed to bring local communities and interests together in regional and multi-disciplinary programs. Our combination of legislative experience, policy understanding, regulatory competence, and communication skills relating to issues that impact water, transportation, energy and the environment, and a host of other areas, has enabled us to take a leading role in the development of legislation and policy on behalf of a broad range of clients. Often, our lobbyists are directly involved in drafting legislative and regulatory changes that result in the creation of new, innovative financing programs that benefit local governments. Based on significant expertise, TFG has put our understanding of the political and policymaking process to work for our clients, and help them implement the strategic plan through targeted interaction with the federal government.

Why Choose TFG?

  • Legislative tracking and monitoring
  • Analysis and comparison of bill drafts and amendments
  • Development and submission of legislative comments and testimony
  • Drafting of legislative language, bills, and amendments
  • Advance notice and analysis of major legislative proposals
  • Advocacy in support of or in opposition to legislation

Case Studies

Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds

TFG has partnered with national coalitions and our municipal clients to help preserve the tax-exempt status and marketability of municipal bonds. We have helped our clients communicate to their congressional delegations the importance of tax-exempt municipal bonds as a necessary tool to build essential infrastructure in their communities. We have also been on the forefront of legislative efforts to ensure that municipal bonds are considered liquid assets for large financial institutions. If not, the cost of borrowing will increase, which will negatively impact all of our municipal clients.

Transportation Funding Repurposing

Under the Department of Transportation's rules set by the moratorium on congressional earmarks in place, communities who had received funding for local transportation projects faced issues completing projects that needed slight adjustments to the scope of the project. Working on behalf of several clients, TFG raised awareness of the issue and pursued a legislative fix to the problem, including introducing a bipartisan amendment to the FAST Act. Ultimately, authority was provided in an omnibus appropriations that allows state DOT's to work with local sponsoring agencies to ensure the original funding was spent on the local projects. TFG clients were one of the first communities to take advantage of the new program.

USDA Program Eligibility

The community of Los Osos, CA is required to improve waste water facilities to prevent polluted waters from leaching from thousands of private septic systems into Morro Bay National Estuary. The County was originally barred from competing for grant funding under the U.S. Department Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) grants and loans because Los Osos exceeded the regulatory population limit. TFG worked with the County to accurately define the area of benefit and worked with the County’s congressional delegation to secure legislation providing a population limitation waiver to Los Osos. This action allowed the County to compete for USDA funding, resulting in the largest Recovery Act grant and loan provided by RUS.

Services & Issue Areas of Expertise

Transportation

Transportation

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Broadband & Telecommunications

Broadband & Telecommunications

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Economic & Community Development/Housing

Economic & Community Development/Housing

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Environment & Sustainability

Environment & Sustainability

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Health Care & Social Services

Health Care & Social Services

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Public Safety

Public Safety

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Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

Disaster Preparedness & Recovery

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Flood Issues

Flood Issues

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Water Resources

Water Resources

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US Congressional Calendar

Kristen H. Long Promoted to Grants Principal at TFG
Alex Yiannoutsos
/ Categories: News, News & Alerts

Kristen H. Long Promoted to Grants Principal at TFG

TFG strengthens leadership team amidst explosive growth in grants division.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The TFG Grants Division is pleased to announce the promotion of Kristen H. Long to Grants Principal. Kristen has been an integral part of the TFG Grants Division since 2022.

"Kristen's promotion to Grants Principal is a testament to her outstanding contributions and leadership within our firm," said Kristi More, TFG Managing Partner of Grants. "Kristen's strategic thinking and comprehensive understanding of the grants process have been crucial to the success and growth of the TFG Grants Division. We are confident that she will continue to drive TFG’s mission forward, making a significant impact on our clients and the communities we serve.”

As a Grants Principal, Kristen will be responsible for enhancing client services, and overseeing the development and management of client relationships. She will also be instrumental in workflow optimization, research initiatives, and internal collaboration within the TFG Grants Division. Kristen's leadership will extend to guiding issue-specific and client teams, driving innovation, and fostering a forward-thinking approach to client and project management.

Kristen is also TFG’s resident brownfield redevelopment expert with over 18 years of experience. This work supports communities in their efforts to transform properties to make them desirable for development and improve the quality of life for the people that live there.

Kristen's promotion comes at a pivotal time as TFG continues to expand and enhance services to meet the growing needs of our clients. TFG’s Grants Division has experienced explosive growth, expanding from from three full-time staff in 2021 to 17 permanent, in-house employees today. This growth trajectory continues as the firm plans to hire additional full-time grant professionals before the end of 2024. The TFG Grants Division has also established the TFG Grants Consulting Network (GCN), comprising over 60 of the nation’s top grant professionals who support the division. TFG aims to reach a milestone of 100 grant professionals by the end of the first quarter of 2025. Since 2015, TFG has assisted clients in securing over $5.9 billion in competitive federal, state, and foundation funding.

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