Have A Lobbyist Take You To Lunch Today
They past the 2008-09 New York State Budget. There is plenty to talk about there — we will no doubt discuss in detail the record increases in education aid, the increase in state spending, etc., but today we will focus on Albany’s lobbying industry.
The Albany Times Union had an interesting piece on 2007 being a record year for lobbyist. According to the TU:
Albany has been very, very good to the lobbying industry, with a record $171.2 million spent in 2007, up some $20 million from the previous year.
All told, 5,357 lobbyists — about 25 for every legislator — reported their expenses to the state Commission on Public Integrity.
For the 11th year running, the top lobbyist by income was Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, which took in $9.6 million, followed by Patricia Lynch & Associates at $6.7 million and Bolton St. Johns Inc. with $5.7 million.
(snip)
NYSUT, for instance, was in the news Wednesday for its effort, through the state budget process, to successfully beat back a proposal that would have allowed student test scores to be among the considerations school boards could use in making tenure decisions.
It’s nice to know that the decline in the manufacturing sector of the economy is being offset, in part at least, by Albany’s lobbying sector. Record year after record year. If you see a lobbyist today, give him or her a pat on the back — let them know you appreciate all they are doing to help make our state what it is.
2 Responses to “Have A Lobbyist Take You To Lunch Today”
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Get the heck out of here, the state budget was passed? I’m a 7 day a week subscriber to the D&C, how did I miss that? Must have been mentioned, but not that you would notice. Can’t miss how we all are being dosed with drugs from the water supply though! As for lobbying laws; they are as effective as any behavioral law, people who obey the law don’t need it, those that don’t, never will.
Great comments Jim. That’s why were are here! Thanks for joining the conversation.