How will the lobbying community react to the new Governor's budget cut proposals and government reform initiatives? Will they helpers, enablers or blockers? Do they really speak for those without a voice or just for those who hire them? Remember non profits, universities, environmental groups, labor unions, senior citizens, big business, small business, police officers, firemen, teachers, and almost every segment of society in Michigan has a lobbyist that has been hired to represent them.
Lobbying lawmakers a growth industry in Michigan | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Monday, November 15, 2010
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This article makes an interesting point that this year lobbyists may become increasingly influential. We face a lot of new politicians in the state legislature this year on top of a new governor with very little political experience.
ReplyDeleteI believe alot of the members of the legislature and Mr. Snyder were elected this year based on the hope for change.
They ran on platforms and ideas that were about fixing our current problems and making change, however without some digging, it was hard to tell what their policy goals and platforms actually WERE.
It is going to be a lot harder for many of these new politicians to actually see policy change when they enter office. I think in many ways this term lobbyists will play a bigger role than ever.
Unlike some of the more freshly elected members of the legislature, most lobbyists have been in the capital city for years gaining practical and policy experience. They become experts in their narrow field of interest, and therefore can provide important information to new senators.
At the same time, they are specifically inclined toward one cause, and may be able to exert extra influence during this term.
Lobbyists are definitely skilled in the delicate "art of politics" and it will be interesting to see how this experience will affect this next legislative session.
I don't think the lobbying influence will change much in Washington. Lobbyists now, as in the past, will zealously promote the interests of their employers. I think the major change will not come from lobbying practices, it will come from which lobbyists get listened to. Labor Unions will be among a group that will probably have less influence on the newly elected representatives. Lobbyists promoting big or unnecessary spending will hopefully also have less influence.
ReplyDeleteLobbying, done in honesty, is an essential part of an informed congress. If lobbyists strictly stick to informing the new congress rather than manipulation tactics, and the representatives form their own opinions from the information then we can expect a healthy political leadership body.