Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Paula Treat

65. Paula Treat

At some point we are simply going to run out of superlatives to lavish on Paula Treat, who has been one of the most effective lobbyists in the game for a half century. Hers was one of the first woman-owned lobbying shops in California, and she still prefers to keep it a solo operation. Probably a good idea given that others have a hard time keeping up with her anyway. In recent years she has focused on plastics recycling and major tribal issues, including a bill to give the tribes standing to sue in their longstanding battle with card rooms. The fight is still not resolved as we go to press, but it is further along than it has ever been due in no small part to Treat’s relentless efforts. Affable, wicked smart, energetic and persistent – she is all this and more. It should come as no surprise that her favorite all time award is the “Barracuda Award” legislators used to hand out to the lobbyist hardest to say no to.

Updated Aug. 7, 2024