RALEIGH, N.C.  – A legislative panel thinks top assistants in state agencies and leaders of North Carolina’s universities and community colleges should have to wait six months before lobbying their former employers.

A House judiciary committee on Monday backed a measure expanding the six-month waiting period before these insiders could become paid lobbyists. The law now covers legislators, statewide elected officials and agency heads appointed by the governor.

The proposed expansion also would include state employees who lobby lawmakers for government agencies.

Supporters say a waiting period limits people with inside knowledge about government operations, contracting and hiring decisions from using that data for high-paying interest groups.

 Winston-Salem Journal

The $22 million spent lobbying state officials in 2007 most likely shocks many North Carolinians. But there is good news hidden in that figure because it is probably much more accurate than any number we’ve seen in the past.

Democracy North Carolina, a non-profit state-government watchdog group, compiled the number and says it is $5 million higher than that for 2005, the previous long session of the General Assembly.

The $5 million increase may be deceptive because recent changes to state law mean North Carolinians are getting a better view of what lobbying really costs. It is entirely possible, for example, that total lobbying costs went down between 2005 and 2007.

Before the passage of lobbying reform legislation several years ago, lobbyists spent generously on legislators and other state officials and never reported a dime of it. A lobbyist might pay for a meal at a fancy restaurant but not report that expense. That was perfectly legal because of something called the goodwill lobbying loophole.

Legislators closed that loophole and banned most of the wining, dining and gift-giving that had made up such a big portion of lobbying in previous years.

Democracy North Carolina also noted that many people who may not have been legally considered lobbyists in 2005 went ahead and registered as such in 2007. That’s because the new law is so much stricter. People didn’t want to take a chance.

So, reported lobbying costs in the past were always grossly understated while, with the 2007 reports, they may be slightly overstated.

Though the word “lobbying” has a negative connotation, the actual profession can be one of considerable usefulness to the public and one practiced ethically. Most business associations, including some to which the Journal belongs, lobby the legislature and other government agencies. Lobbying is how many businesses, social organizations, churches and citizen groups exercise their First Amendment rights to “petition their government for a redress of grievances,” or, at the very least, to try to get their share of the budget.

Lobbyists provide government officials with a wealth of information and they provide a wide perspective on the ramifications of government policies and proposals. In that way they help all North Carolinians.
Most lobbyists consider their work to be an honorable pursuit. They work hard and many are well paid.

With the lobbying reforms of the past decade, it is more likely that lobbying is being conducted on a higher plane. Considering the state’s recent past, that’s good for everyone.

RALEIGH, N.C. – New lobbying laws are giving a broader picture of the money spent by groups and businesses trying to persuade North Carolina state officials and the public.

The campaign finance reform organization Democracy North Carolina said Monday that almost 900 businesses, trade associations and nonprofit groups spent $22 million on lobbying during 2007.

That was the first year after the Legislature passed new rules requiring more disclosure.

Group executive director Bob Hall said most of the money was earmarked as lobbyist compensation for their work. About $455,000 went for meals, events, gifts and entertainment. The lobbying law bars lobbyists from providing gifts to legislators but provided for some exceptions.

The North Carolina Association of Realtors was the top spender at more than $972,000.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Students from HBCU campuses from across the state are gathering in Raleigh this Wednesday, February 18, 2009, reminding lawmakers they want their voices heard in the halls of the legislature.

Students have scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference in the press conference room of the legislative building, to discuss pending legislation they believe can make a difference in improving democracy.

Campuses represented on lobby day include: Shaw University, St. Augustine’s College, Bennett College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, Fayetteville State University, and Winston Salem University.

This is the second biennial HBCU legislative lobby day co hosted by Common Cause North Carolina.