By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sarah Psick has again been contracted by the county board for lobbying assistance at the Minnesota State Legislature. She is the owner of Psick Capitol Solutions and launched her St. Paul business after working as government relations director for a Twin Cities law firm.

“Sarah navigates the state legislature very well, for the benefit of Otter Tail County,” said County Board Chairman Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood during a county board meeting on Tuesday morning, Oct. 8.

County Board member Wayne Johnson of Pelican Rapids said Psick’s work is essential to Otter Tail County. 

“Sarah works well with us on the county board, county department heads and with members of the state legislature,” Johnson said. “Her expertise is especially appreciated when county representatives, me included, need to testify before the state legislature. Sarah’s assistance is invaluable when we prepare our testimony.”

County Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard said that many state grants coming to Otter Tail County would not have been possible without the assistance from Psick. He said it is unrealistic for county governmental leaders to travel to and from St. Paul on a regular basis in light of the driving distance from Fergus Falls to the Twin Cities of 180 miles, one way.

Leonard added that Psick is a trusted advisor not only to Otter Tail County but also to many business and nonprofit organizations. “She has the ability to understand the needs of Otter Tail County and knows how to dissect complex legislative policy and fiscal budget issues,” says Leonard.

Psick attributes her legislative lobbying success, in part, to grasping the nuances of government. “That is partly intuitive, having worked in the legislature. Timing is everything to a lobbyist.”

She goes on to say, “You have to know if this is a good time to pop your head into somebody’s office or stop someone in the hallway, being able to read what is going on.”