Lynn Stokes Murray's clients have varied interests
The Beaufort County School District is far from the only client of Lynn Stokes Murray, a 53-year-old lobbyist with the McNair Law Firm in Columbia. According to the S.C. Ethics Commission, which requires lobbyists and their clients to file reports on their activity, Stokes represented 19 clients, earning more than $193,000 in fees and reimbursements in 2014 for the firm.
New clients in 2015 include the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecology, Check Into Cash and Girl Scouts of South Carolina.
Advantage Capital Partners
Investment firm that provides capital along with strategic and operational advice to businesses that have the potential for both big investment returns and community impact including new jobs.
Interests include: New market tax issues.
$24,340
American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC)
Insurance company.
Interests include: Legislation that affects the insurance industry.
$9,330
American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
Insurance company.
Interests include: Legislation related to finance and consumer issues, wind and hail coverage and workers’ compensation.
$11,170
Beaufort County school board
The school board splits Murray’s fee with Beaufort County Council.
Interests include: More state education dollars. In 2015, school district leaders have also asked Murray to change the state’s certification rules that affect the district's Chinese language immersion program, as well as to get more money for the district’s early childhood education program.
$12,980
Beaufort County Council
County leaders say Murray’s biggest achievement has been getting more state money for the Beaufort County School District and the University of South Carolina Beaufort, meaning Beaufort County can provide the two with fewer local dollars.
Interests include: "At the end of the day, it’s money, money, money," said Josh Gruber, deputy county administrator. "Money for the district, money for USCB and money for us. That's what we're looking for."
$12,980
Catamaran
Pharmacy benefits manager for the state's health plan.
Interests include: Providing consulting services.
$8,170
Diageo North America
Global beverage alcohol company with a collection of brands that includes Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan and Guinness.
Interests include: Taxes on beer, wine and liquor as well as manufacturers’ coupons and DUI/underage drinking laws.
$14,260
International Paper Company
International paper and packaging company.
Interests include agriculture issues, land use, water and energy.
$9,790
JM Family Enterprises, Inc.
Automotive corporation.
Interests include hybrid automobiles, state’s $300 sales tax cap, regulations to improve autos’ and trucks’ fuel economy and interlock ignition devices now required in the autos of some S.C. DUI offenders.
$10,980
Leadingage South Carolina
Membership organization of senior living and care communities and providers.
Interests include advovacy for assisted living facilites, nursing homes and in-home care providers as well as Medicaid issues and bed tax.
$17,070
National Guard Association of South Carolina
Advocacy organization for S.C. Air and Army National Guard members.
Interests include state budget and education issues and retirees’ pension fund.
$19,560
S.C. Association of Counties
Advocacy group for the S.C. counties.
Interests include legislation, gubernatorial actions and agency actions that affect county government.
$3,070
S.C. Association of Realtors
Advocacy group for real estate professionals.
Interests include legislation that affects real estate.
$7,630
S.C. Society of Ophthalmology
Advocacy group for visual health professionals.
Interests include all matters relating to the practice of medicine in general and ophthalmology in particular as well as all health care issues.
$3,660
Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC)
A subsidiary of American International Group, VALIC is an insurance corporation that specializes in tax-qualified retirement plans, supplemental tax-deferred and after-tax investments.
Interest is retirement systems.
$5,060
Lowcountry Economic Alliance
Beaufort County’s now defunct economic development arm.
Interests were the state budget and economic development policy issues.
$13,750
Genentech, Inc.
Biotechnology corporation that is a subsidiary of The Roche Group.
Interests are legislation related to human pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
$10,450
National Kitchen and Bath Association
Nonprofit trade association that promotes the kitchen and bath industry.
Interest is interior design legislation.
$160
Valley Proteins
Company recovers and recycles restaurant grease and animal by-products from restaurants, supermarkets, abattoirs and poultry processing facilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic, eastern and southwestern United States. Its conversion plants recycle fat and bone trimmings; waste cooking oils and meat/poultry by-products into high-energy feed fat and protein-rich meal products used in animal feed.
Interest is legislation regarding land application/sludge.
The Beaufort County School District is far from the only client of Lynn Stokes Murray, a 53-year-old lobbyist with the McNair Law Firm in Columbia. According to the S.C. Ethics Commission, which requires lobbyists and their clients to file reports on their activity, Stokes represented 19 clients, earning more than $193,000 in fees and reimbursements in 2014 for the firm.