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Mayor Bloomberg and the new City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined forces to announce a five point plan for lobbying reform. The message is that the city government want to stop lobbying from, as the Mayor put it, "the next Jack Abramoff" (zing, zing, Republican party!).
The five-point plan (1) bans gifts from lobbyist to government officials; (2) strengthens enforcement of the lobbying law and double the maximum penalties for violations; (3) mandates that lobbyist disclose information about their political consulting and fundraising clients; and (4) creates an online filing system for lobbyists, enhancing the speed and accuracy of public disclosure; and (5) closes the gaping loop-hole that allows lobbyists' contributions to be matched with public funds.There are more and more lobbyists coming to City Hall, and it doesn't seem like the City Clerk's office can keep up with monitoring the lobbying activities. Quinn also has a problem with lobbyists accosting City Council staffers before meetings, and tells the NY Times when she got back from a meeting, there was a lobbyist chatting up one of her staffers: "It's not appropriate for lobbyists to have basically unfettered access to the speaker's office."
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lobby = bribe
no matter how you slice it.
Lobby reform .. Right like that will happen in our lifetime.
Politicians talk a lot of shit and never get things done that actually affect THEM. Except raises in salary of course.
Wasn't there supposed to be health care reform , and tax reform??
If there was it was a bullshit insignificant band-aid reform for publicity more than actual function.
Those "reforms" seemed to fade into the wind...
Lets face it, most Politicians are self serving power tripping tools who are out for personal gain and notoriety, more so than bettering society.
Lobbying should be BANNED Period!
How is that for reform?
Otherwise Reform is just a term so they can figure out how to hide the bribes more effectively.
Oh but is leaal now because we said so... How is that for reform.
Stop the Bribery
Spoken like a true conservative, #1. If you don't like politicians, quit giving them so much power. Unfortunately, liberals want politicians to run just about everything. And that makes lobbyists all the more important.
Since everyone has the right to petition our elected officials, there is very little that can be done to stop lobbyists - other than electing honest officials and curtailing government growth.
Nola is telling us about electing "honest officials"? What planet is this????????
Nola.
For your info I an not a conservative.
How you so easily came to that conclusion is laughable.
Especially since you think there actually honest officials.
That is pure fantasy.
Power corrupts.
Just look at simpleton beat cops, many become power flexing assholes.
There is far too much potential to get richer as a politician, that honesty seems to take a back seat to personal gain, ego, power and influence.
By the way I personally have been petitioning elected officials for some time.
But if it is not supported by OTHERS petitioning as well. Nothing gets done.
They need an overwhelming amount of reminding who they actually work for.
Have fun living in you fantasy world... It must be nice.
You may not be able to stop Lobbyists but the bribery and gifts can be made illegal.
Not one penny can pass hands.
Ideas can be discussed but they can not be backed up with "incentives".