Duane Morris Government Strategies

We are deeply saddened to share that our Managing Director, Eric Martins, has passed away after a short illness. Eric was a defining force in building DMGS into the firm it is today - with government affairs capabilities across the entire country. A respected leader, trusted advisor, and consummate professional, he brought integrity, thoughtfulness, and a rare ability to bring people together across differences. His impact on our firm, our clients, and our broader public policy community cannot be overstated. Beyond his professional accomplishments, which were many, Eric was a generous colleague and a steady presence whose guidance and friendship meant a great deal to so many of us. He will be profoundly missed, and we remain committed to honoring his legacy through the continued dedication and service he championed for our clients and community. Our thoughts are with his wife Dee, his sons Eric and Owen, and his entire family during this difficult time. pepplerfh.com/obituaries/eri…

🗳️ The 2026 Pennsylvania primary election results are in — and they set the stage for one of the most competitive political landscapes in the country this November. From the Lehigh Valley to Lancaster County to the Philadelphia suburbs, Tuesday's primary produced clear nominees in four key congressional districts, high-stakes state Senate battles, and we saw four incumbent state House members lose their respective primary elections. 🏛️ Our full recap breaks down every major race. Link below. 🔗 statecapitallobbyist.com/uncategorized/…

We were glad to be at an event last week where we had the opportunity to speak with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill about some of the issues we are working on in the Garden State!

Last evening, IWS was the premier sponsor for the NWRA reception in Columbus, attended by our Ohio Director Katie DeLand. Always good to see our mascot, Woody!

Huge shout out to our client, Sinclair Community College, for being named a Top 25 Community College by the Aspen Institute (@AspenHigherEd)! This is an incredible honor, and we were proud to celebrate today with @RepMikeTurner, State Representative Tom Young, the Dayton Development Coalition, and @DaytonChamber.

Proud to support our client, the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), on their Harrisburg Hill Day earlier this week — 35 meetings across the Capitol advocating for PANO’s membership of 1,100+ nonprofits serving 4.2 million residents statewide. Thanks to every legislator and staff who made time. This is what advocacy looks like! #Pennsylvania #Nonprofits #Harrisburg

States are taking action on #crypto kiosk regulation in 2026 — from mandatory fraud disclosures and transaction limits to outright bans. Read our state-by-state breakdown in our latest post: 👇️ statecapitallobbyist.com/cryptocurrency…

The Alabama Legislature this year approved several bills giving parolees the right to participate in hearings and requiring the Board of Pardons and Paroles to consider their efforts at rehabilitation and reform. alabamareflector.com/2026/04/17/cri…

In Oklahoma, House Bill 4280 aims to increase funding for the state’s roads fund, which helps pay for bridge and road projects. Rep. Nicole Miller, R-District 82, said the bill would add $10 million each year until the fund reaches a cap of $670 million, citing rising costs for construction and materials. ktul.com/news/local/okl…

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering regulations on cryptocurrency ATMs, debating whether stricter consumer protections or a lighter-touch approach better balances fraud prevention with preserving access to the machines for legitimate users. newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/04/17/as-…

The Tennessee House this week is scheduled to take a final vote on legislation requiring immigration status checks of any applicant for public benefits at state and local public agencies, including in each of the state’s 95 public health clinics. tennesseelookout.com/2026/04/20/ten…

Legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania that would ensure local governments and organizations that provide services for the state can continue to receive state funding through a budget impasse. penncapital-star.com/government-pol…

Landlords who collect utility payments from tenants but fail to submit the money to utility providers could face prison time, fines or both, under a new law signed by Gov. Tate Reeves. mississippitoday.org/2026/03/27/mis…

The Georgia Senate has passed its version of a $38.5 billion state budget for next fiscal year, although the spending plan is destined to now be hashed out behind the scenes by leaders of both chambers. georgiarecorder.com/2026/03/27/geo…

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday blocked Republicans from renaming the Loop 202 freeway in the East Valley after the slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. azmirror.com/briefs/arizona…

The Idaho Legislature widely approved a bill that would criminalize “willfully” entering public and government bathrooms and changing rooms designated for another sex. idahocapitalsun.com/2026/03/27/ida…

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a partisan, anti-abortion bill that offered protections to crisis pregnancy centers, which can function as alternatives to health clinics with abortion services. kansasreflector.com/briefs/hours-a…

While the House concurred on the Senate’s version of two bills that made changes to the state’s medical cannabis program, Governor Tate Reeves (R) did not, vetoing both bills on Thursday. magnoliatribune.com/2026/03/27/gov…

Pennsylvania lawmakers are walking a fine line on data center expansion, trying to attract economic development while protecting ratepayers from footing the bill for grid upgrades. abc27.com/pennsylvania-p…

The policy environment facing colleges and universities has changed. The institutions that adapt will be the ones that thrive. 🎓 Federal scrutiny. State budget pressures. Workforce development priorities. These are not separate issues. They are intersecting forces that require a coordinated strategy. Yet many colleges, especially smaller institutions, still engage government reactively. That approach leaves funding on the table and keeps them out of conversations that shape their future. 🏛️ We broke down what strategic higher education government relations actually looks like in today's landscape, and why getting it right matters more than ever. statecapitallobbyist.com/education/high…

By a 113-0 vote, the #Florida Legislature has passed a measure that attempts to stop people from being harmed by two commonly-abused street drugs: xylazine and nitrous oxide. floridapolitics.com/archives/78417…