Successes & Clients

Donna and Bully

Her tenacity, like that of a bulldog, is the key to legislative successes.

The Echols Group provides lobbying and consulting assistance to a variety of clients. The firm provides focused, analytical management skills that only sixteen years of experience can deliver, and that spells “success” for our clients. Your Mississippi lobbyist before the Mississippi Legislature – 24/7.

 

The Echols Group Delivers.

  • Passed the largest pay increase in State Trooper history
  • Advocated for onshore gaming that allowed casinos to move inland and build within 800 feet of the waterfront – the law helped save this $2.2 billion industry.
  • Successfully secured $6 million in critical pandemic funding for the purchase and storage of antivirals for a pharmaceutical company
  • Fought for $150 million in state tax incentives for the $2.9 billion dollar Riverbend Project
  • Obtained $5 million in state bonds for the City of Southaven infrastructure improvements
  • Worked on landmark legislation, the first of its kind in the country, allowing law enforcement and fire fighters to have state supported cancer program that will help save their lives;
  • Authorize off-duty use of uniforms/weapons by law enforcement for private employment; Delivered $28 million in state bonds for new Department of Public Safety facilities; and helped secure funding for a state match program for bullet proof vests for local law enforcement;
  • Provided $63 million in bonding authority to create the Capitol City Convention Center
  • Passed an organ donation income tax credit
  • Developed and passed the groundbreaking Mississippi Movie/Film Incentive Act – and several amendments improving that program in years to follow.
  • Creation of a Hepatitis C study among health care officials
  • Fought to pass “Felony to Flee” legislation and the “Castle Doctrine”
  • Delivered $6 million in state bonds for the Farish Street Entertainment District for infrastructure
  • Obtained $2 million in state bonds for the Mississippi Children’s Museum
  • Provided $11.7 million in bonds for renovations to the Mississippi Memorial Stadium
  • Created a benefit fund and later increased the amount for families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty
  • Defended against increased taxes for gaming and business clients
  • Closed an 11 year old loophole in the Chop Shop Act
  • Passed landmark Storm Water Drainage Districts Act
  • Obtained $1 million in state bonds for a youth leadership program
  • Created the Tourism Incentive Program to provide sales tax rebates to new and improved tourist facilities creating jobs and revenue
  • Passed legislation that allows for the construction of brew pubs
  • Created stronger statutory penalties for uncleaned and abandoned property
  • Secured an extra $4 million in state monies for the Mississippi Development Authority
  • Helped get almost $1 million in monies for the Cal Ripken, Sr., Foundation

Current & Previous:

    • Riverbend Crossing Development, Inc.
    • Commonwealth Brands
    • Penn National Gaming
    • Mississippi Tourism Association
    • Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
    • Hoffmann-LaRoche Pharmaceutical
    • Mississippi State Troopers Association
    • Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical
Bill Signing With Governor Barbour

A bill signing with the governor

 

Special Project Clients:

  • Clarion Ledger/Maynard Institute “Jackson Voices” blogger
  • Jackson Bandits and the Mississippi Indoor Sports Association
  • IESI Solid Waste Firm
  • Sterne/Agee/Leach Financial Consultants
  • American Public Works Association
  • Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
  • GEOTECH Engineering & Testing, Inc.
  • American Medical Response (AMR) Ambulance Services
  • Mississippi Economic Development Council
  • ACTV of New York
  • Cascio Development, Inc.
  • St. Ambrose Leadership College
  • National Alternative Staffing Association
  • Maximus Child Support Collections
  • Central Parking of Mississippi