Lobby Reform Redux
The folks who helped push last year's lobbying reform bill through the General Assembly are back, looking to clamp down harder on those who use money and connections to influence legislators.
Want to hear what was on their minds today? Here ya go:
- Click here for the first bit, which was their prepared presentation.
- The second file is longer, and includes the Q+A period.
Basically, the gist of the news conference was this: we got a good start last year but need to go further, particularly as it regards controlling the flow of money and perks from lobbyists to legislators. They also seemed to be trying to influence the work of the special House ethics committee which begins meeting later this week.
Of course, the people who are pushing these reforms are lobbyists themselves, which may lead to some head-scratching in the land beyond the Raleigh beltline.
Basically, there are two categories of lobbyists in Raleigh:
- Those who have to make their livings through presenting ideas and information. With no deep pockets to bankroll wining and dining, these people make their case as best they can through...what-cha-ma-call-em...facts and figures. These groups can be on the political left (like the NC Justice Center) or the right (like the NC Family Policy Council) and everywhere in between.
- Other lobbyists, who combine facts and figures with money (in the form of campaign loot) and perks - everything from dinner and booze to trips. Typically we're talking about industries that can afford to put some money into things such as the beer and wine wholesalers, cigarette companies, developers, etc...
Obviously, the would-be reformers are hoping to get a boost from the recent spate of troubles surrounding the Speaker's office and the lottery. And there are more than a few people betting that something more will get done on lobbying reform, if for no other reason so the honorables can go home and campaign on a record of having done something about "those guys down in Raleigh."