Randy Scherr R. J. Scherr and Associates
Lets take a look backTerm limits 1990-92Republican Senate –early 2001Republican House – 2003SB 1038 in 2008-campaign limits
Only State with -Term limits
No Campaign Contribution limits
No lobbying expenditure limits
Current Ethics Reform Legislation(various bills)
Revolving doorRestrictions on Political Consultants Limited Lobbyist expenditure limitsLimited Group expenditure limitsNO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
Lobbyists and Special InterestsEveryone has one
EffectivenessConstituencyCredibilityIssues/ political philosophyMONEY
Challenges Cities faceMML lobbying team
Individual City lobbyists—16+ cities
Perception of using “public dollars” (SB 576 and others)
Broad range of issues
Your issues Revenue/taxation
Governance
Regulatory
ECO/DEVO tools – TIFs, TTDs, CIDs, Tax Credits
Confidentiality- open meetings/records
Case Study—Utility/Telco billsPole Attachments/ROW/PermittingOne or two city practices can set the agenda30-40 lobbyists for the utilitiesMML lobbyists + municipal utilities + some
city council and managers Lobbying expenditures Utility PACs with $100s K
Obstacles# of issues
# of opposing lobbyists
Their lobbying expenditures
Their PACs
2014 ElectionsStatewide HouseAuditor 10 Ballot
questions
163 seats up57
unopposed- 3 in open seats
28 open seats
Senate
17 seats up8 unopposed6 open seats
How do you motivate the GAYou can’t forget the traditional tools
Trenchers vs. Swoopers
But there are tools that probably aren’t at your disposal
Work harder and smarter
Build better coalitions Build better grassroots