Lobbying

Outing ALEC

by Sheldon Rampton — June 30, 2002 - 10:00pm

Behind the scenes of American politics, the powerful American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has been quietly pulling the strings of state legislatures. "The organization's reach is impressive: More than one-third of state legislators are ALEC members, and about 100 hold senior leadership positions," writes Nick Penniman.

Main Source: 
The American Prospect, July 1, 2002

Segway Speeds Through State Legislatures

by Laura Miller — May 26, 2002 - 10:00pm

The much-hyped Segway Human Transporter is "quietly racing through America's state legislatures at a pace that belies its 12mph top speed," writes PR Week. In the five months since its unveiling, 23 states have passed laws allowing the computerized scooter to roll down sidewalks, among other things. "The routine is simple and oft-repeated," PR Weeks reports. "Matthew Dailida, Segway's manager of state government affairs, travels state to state with his ready-made legislation and, often, a Segway in tow.

Main Source: 
PR Week, May 27, 2002

States for Sale

by Sheldon Rampton — May 7, 2002 - 1:50pm

The Center for Public Integrity has released a new study of political lobbying at the state level which reveals that lobbyists spent at least $570 million impacting legislation in states across the country in 2000. The study's release coincides with the publication of the Center's latest book, Capitol Offenders: How Private Interests Govern Our States.

Main Source: 
http://www.publicintegrity.org/hiredguns

Berman Floats to the Top

by Sheldon Rampton — April 30, 2002 - 9:56pm

Tobacco, booze and restaurant industry lobbyist Rick Berman is sending around a news release crowing about being included in this year's list of "star rainmakers" in Hill magazine, a publication for Washington insiders "aimed at the 100 senators, 435 House members, 40,000 aides and tens of thousands in the influence industry whose work affects the lives of all Americans." Berman has also received two "pollie" awards from the American Association for Politica

Main Source: 
http://www.thehill.com/032002/rss_top.shtm

Bob Dole Lobbies For Malawi

by Laura Miller — April 17, 2002 - 11:00pm

Former Senate Majority Leader and Presidential candidate Bob Dole is lobbying for Malawi reports O'Dwyer's PR Daily. "His firm, Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand, is receiving $300,000 in annual fees from the country, where the average life expectancy is 37 years for both men and women. Malawi's ten million people face an HIV/AIDS epidemic, deforestation and erosion among other problems.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, April 18, 2002

The Lockup Lobby

by Sheldon Rampton — April 14, 2002 - 6:17pm

Over the past two decades, America's prison population quadrupled, creating a $50 billion corrections industry that houses two million inmates. "That's bigger than tobacco," notes American RadioWorks correspondent John Biewen.

Main Source: 
http://www.americanradioworks.org/features/corrections/laws1.html

Oil Slick Propaganda

by Sheldon Rampton — April 11, 2002 - 11:00pm

The U.S. Interior Department's web site features a video prepared by the Patton Boggs lobbying group to promote exploration for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Its distribution of the video violates a law forbidding federal agencies to engage in PR activities "designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the Congress." The Interior Department is becoming "a cinema house for lobbyists," says Massachusetts Congressman Edward Markey.

Main Source: 
New York Times, April 12, 2002

48 Hours

by Sheldon Rampton — April 10, 2002 - 11:00pm

While formulating its national energy policy, the Bush administration's Energy Department met with 109 representatives of the energy industry and its trade associations from late January to May 17, 2001, but gave environmental groups less than 48 hours to review and comment on the policies.

Main Source: 
New York Times, April 11, 2002

Ethiopia Spent $5.6 Million For Lobbying

by Laura Miller — March 26, 2002 - 12:00am

"Ethiopia spent a whopping $5.6 million in lobbying fees/expenses at Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand during the firm's recent six-month reporting period," O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports. "For Ethiopia, VLBM&H provided advice on the peace treaty with Eritrea, and explored commercial opportunities for Ethiopian businesses in the U.S." During that period VLBM&H also represented India, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Malawi, Mexico, China, Montenegro and Slovenia. "On the downside," O'Dwyer's writes, "VLBM&H was terminated by Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, March 26, 2002

Ethics Complaint Filed Against PHRMA

by Laura Miller — March 20, 2002 - 12:00am

"The Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative has filed a seven-page complaint on March 18 with the State Ethics Commission about the hardball lobbying tactics employed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and its grassroots firm, Bonner & Assocs.," O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports. "The non-profit group is an advocate of universal healthcare and a backer of a Maryland bill that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. PhRMA opposes the bill.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, March 20, 2002
Syndicate content