Mobile’s Press-Register has this editorial endorsing stronger ethics laws in Alabama. Lobbyists in Alabama can spend up to $250 a day — or more than $90,000 a year — “entertaining” a public official. It’s legal and it’s officially none of the public’s business: The law requires only that lobbyists report if they spend more than […]
Day: April 19, 2009
Jacob Weisberg Weeding Out Good Lobbyists from Bad
Newsweek features this Jacob Weisberg column apparently faulting President Obama’s lobbyist restrictions for failing to distinguish what Weisberg sees as “good” lobbyists from “bad” lobbyists. The president could deal with Washington sleaze much more effectively through explanation and symbolism. Instead of tying his own hand with counter-productive rules, he could instruct his staff to avoid […]
Lobbyist Disclosure Law Not Enforced
According to this Des Moines Register report, Iowa’s lobbyist disclosure law is not enforced. State officials concede the disclosure law is not enforced. Senate Ethics Committee Vice Chairman Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, said he does not recall any organization ever being punished for not filing reception disclosures properly. “I don’t know if anyone ever checks […]