Home Page > Editorial and Op-Ed
Rather Than Attacking Lobbyists or Restricting Them, Press for More Transparency
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:31:00
This election year there is much talk about change and reforms in government. But is it fair that the majority of the blame for what ails our nation be pinned on just a single group? That seems to be what both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns are trying to do.
Senator Barack Obama has proclaimed that lobbyists "drown out the voices of the middle class and undermine our common interest as Americans," while Senator John McCain says his national energy policy won't be a "full-employment act for lobbyists." They are unfairly casting lobbyists as the scapegoats for everything the public thinks is wrong with our political system.
What you fail to hear is that lobbyists do play an important and necessary role, whether it is in Albany or in Washington. Congress, the New York Senate, Assembly and city, county and town councils throughout the Empire State and nationwide must deal with thousands of proposed pieces of legislation in every session.
Lobbyists provide an important resource of detailed information and connect our legislators to the people who will be impacted by their votes. On controversial legislative proposals, there will be lobbyists on both sides. This is the only way that legislators are exposed to all facets and implications of the legislation.
In New York, we have seen a number of important policy issues discussed and debated during 2008, including proposed hospital closures, Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, and a dialogue on a state energy policy and the now long-expired Article X power plant siting law, seen as so critical to labor and business across the Empire State.
In this election cycle, we need answers and leadership, not just finger pointing and playing the blame game. The U.S. Constitution grants Americans the right to petition their government. Few working class men and women, whether they be blue collar or white collar, have the luxury of spending a few weeks or months in Washington, D.C., Albany or even simply downtown at City Hall to lobby for an important piece of legislation that might effect their profession, sources of energy, the make-up of their neighborhood or revitalization of the city. That is why they have lobbyists advocating their point of view.
While professional lobbyists may be a convenient election-year punching bag for the presidential campaigns, the role they play in representing constituencies in shaping legislation and educating elected officials to the pros and cons of a bill improves our government process. While most average Americans may not realize it, they have lobbyists representing their varied interests. These range from the AARP, whose lobbyists advocate for our aging population, to zoological organizations who are concerned with protecting animals. It would be nearly impossible to identify a New Yorker, or even an American for that matter, who doesn't have a lobbyist representing their special interest in some capacity.
Lobbying isn't perfect and, like any profession, we have witnessed embarrassing instances of behavior that reflect poorly on us all. However, the vast majority of our profession provides a beneficial service while upholding high moral and ethical standards. Groups like the American League of Lobbyists, working much like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, have sought to set standards for the profession for the last 25 years, seeking to enhance competency and foster the highest ethical compliance. This is absolutely necessary in order for our system to work.
So instead of continuing to blame the lobbyists, voters need to demand candidates support legislation not only on the federal, but local level to require transparency in all lobbying efforts, without special loopholes or double standards for anyone.
The American League of Lobbyists has always supported transparency and meaningful registration for lobbyists-reporting on lobbying activities so that the American public understands exactly who's working on a given issue. Having lobbyists' records completely open and accessible to the public is much more important than limiting the voice of the people.
Brian T. Pallasch is President of the American League of Lobbyists.
Senator Barack Obama has proclaimed that lobbyists "drown out the voices of the middle class and undermine our common interest as Americans," while Senator John McCain says his national energy policy won't be a "full-employment act for lobbyists." They are unfairly casting lobbyists as the scapegoats for everything the public thinks is wrong with our political system.
What you fail to hear is that lobbyists do play an important and necessary role, whether it is in Albany or in Washington. Congress, the New York Senate, Assembly and city, county and town councils throughout the Empire State and nationwide must deal with thousands of proposed pieces of legislation in every session.
Lobbyists provide an important resource of detailed information and connect our legislators to the people who will be impacted by their votes. On controversial legislative proposals, there will be lobbyists on both sides. This is the only way that legislators are exposed to all facets and implications of the legislation.
In New York, we have seen a number of important policy issues discussed and debated during 2008, including proposed hospital closures, Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, and a dialogue on a state energy policy and the now long-expired Article X power plant siting law, seen as so critical to labor and business across the Empire State.
In this election cycle, we need answers and leadership, not just finger pointing and playing the blame game. The U.S. Constitution grants Americans the right to petition their government. Few working class men and women, whether they be blue collar or white collar, have the luxury of spending a few weeks or months in Washington, D.C., Albany or even simply downtown at City Hall to lobby for an important piece of legislation that might effect their profession, sources of energy, the make-up of their neighborhood or revitalization of the city. That is why they have lobbyists advocating their point of view.
While professional lobbyists may be a convenient election-year punching bag for the presidential campaigns, the role they play in representing constituencies in shaping legislation and educating elected officials to the pros and cons of a bill improves our government process. While most average Americans may not realize it, they have lobbyists representing their varied interests. These range from the AARP, whose lobbyists advocate for our aging population, to zoological organizations who are concerned with protecting animals. It would be nearly impossible to identify a New Yorker, or even an American for that matter, who doesn't have a lobbyist representing their special interest in some capacity.
Lobbying isn't perfect and, like any profession, we have witnessed embarrassing instances of behavior that reflect poorly on us all. However, the vast majority of our profession provides a beneficial service while upholding high moral and ethical standards. Groups like the American League of Lobbyists, working much like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, have sought to set standards for the profession for the last 25 years, seeking to enhance competency and foster the highest ethical compliance. This is absolutely necessary in order for our system to work.
So instead of continuing to blame the lobbyists, voters need to demand candidates support legislation not only on the federal, but local level to require transparency in all lobbying efforts, without special loopholes or double standards for anyone.
The American League of Lobbyists has always supported transparency and meaningful registration for lobbyists-reporting on lobbying activities so that the American public understands exactly who's working on a given issue. Having lobbyists' records completely open and accessible to the public is much more important than limiting the voice of the people.
Brian T. Pallasch is President of the American League of Lobbyists.
