In the News

MAASH Hires The Rasky/Baerlein Group

Cultural Community Takes Aggressive Step to Advocate for State Funding Monday, April 07, 2003

The Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities (MAASH) announced today that it has retained The Rasky/Baerlein Group as public affairs and strategic advisors. MAASH is a statewide advocacy network of cultural supporters and organizations dedicated to improving the cultural economy and enhancing the environment for the arts, sciences, and humanities.

"Every significant industry in Massachusetts retains professional lobbyists. By hiring a recognized and respected firm, we are emphasizing the significant role that the arts, sciences, and humanities play in our state economy," said Charles Washburn, Executive Director of Very Special Arts Massachusetts and a member of the MAASH selection committee.

MAASH conducted an extensive proposal and interview process over two months.

"The quality and number of firms that submitted proposals is testimony to the value of arts and culture in this state. We talked to some of the best," MAASH Executive Director Dan Hunter said. "The Rasky/Baerlein Group understands the distinctive strengths and challenges facing the cultural economy and non-profit organizations and they understand that state funding fuels the cultural economy creating jobs and revenue."

The Rasky/Baerlein Group will assist MAASH in forming media, organizing and political strategies, as well as traditional statehouse lobbying.

State funding for arts and culture was cut by 62 percent by Governor Swift in the fiscal year 2003 budget.

"Cultural organization jobs all across the state are struggling. We're seeing layoffs and cutbacks that hurt our communities, our schools and our economy," said MAASH President Michael Smith, Director of the American Textile Museum in Lowell. "But, through MAASH, the cultural community is united in making our case to the Legislature and the people of Massachusetts."

"Massachusetts' arts and cultural institutions are economic drivers for the entire state. Our firm looks forward to working with MAASH to communicate that message to business groups, political leaders and cultural leaders," said Joe Baerlein, President of the Rasky/ Baerlein Group.

MAASH was formed in response to state budgets cuts in the early '90's and until now has relied on primarily volunteer advocates. The Rasky/Baerlein Group is the first public affairs firm retained by MAASH.

The Rasky/Baerlein Group, Inc. is a full service public affairs and lobbying firm offering clients an extensive range of services such as government relations, media relations, crisis management, grassroots organizing, political intelligence and public affairs. Clients are established companies, start-ups, non-profits, trade associations and coalitions across industries including energy, environment, financial services, technology, healthcare, hospitality, sports, real estate, and retail. Established through the merger of Rasky & Co. (founded in 1989) and former associates of The Choate Group headed by Joe Baerlein (founded in 1987), a government relations and public affairs firm, The Rasky/Baerlein Group is among the largest privately held (a partnership) public affairs firms in New England. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices in Washington, DC.

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