TESTIMONY
Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG on Strengthening Oversight of the Lobbying Industry and Curbing Conflicts of Interest in New York City Government
2:38:08
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144 sec
Blair Horner, the Executive Director of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), provides testimony supporting measures to strengthen oversight of the lobbying industry and curb conflicts of interest in New York City government.
- Horner applauds the committee for holding the hearing to address these issues.
- He notes the staggering growth of lobbying in the city and the need to strengthen revolving door limitations.
- Horner argues having two parallel lobbying/ethics systems at the city and state levels can cause confusion and hinder participation.
- He encourages the city to continue innovating in this area without weakening standards to match state law.
- Horner emphasizes the importance of curbing the 'revolving door' between public service and lobbying.
Blair Horner
2:38:08
Good afternoon.
2:38:08
My name is Blair Horn.
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I'm Executive Director of Nyeberg.
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Non partisan, not for profit research and advocacy organization.
2:38:16
We appreciated the opportunity to testify in the proposals to strengthen the oversight of the lobbying industry.
2:38:21
And to curb conflicts of interest that can impact New York City government.
2:38:25
We applaud you for holding the hearing, and I'll summarize our written comments with you, which you have already received.
2:38:31
Network supports the measures under consideration by the committee.
2:38:35
New York City has been the state's leader in tackling conflict of interest issues in this package will boost public participation in the city and help advance reform and Albany.
2:38:45
As you can see in our written testimony, the growth of lobbying in the city has been staggering and the temptation for public servants to cash in on their governmental contract contacts has never been greater, thus it makes perfect sense to strengthen revolving door limitations.
2:39:02
Well, the city has been a leader in the regulation of lobbying and curving conflicts curving conflicts conflicts of interest.
2:39:09
The growth of state lobbying and ethics regulations has become deeply entwined with that of the city.
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As a result, New York has 2 parallel systems similar, but different.
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Those differences can lead to confusion in May unintentionally, create obstacles to policy participation by those who simply cannot handle compliance requirements that are complex at both the state and city levels, but are also different.
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Those voices can be silenced by these 2 systems.
2:39:41
Our observations are not, however, a call for city policymakers to weaken standards in order to mirror the state State law should be viewed as a floor, not a policy ceiling, and city policy makers should continue to innovate in order to help the evolution of ethics and lobbying oversight both at the city and the state.
2:39:58
Your measures to curb the revolving door between public service and lobbying are important and deserved support approval will meet the policy floor standards set by the state and then raise the ante.
2:40:08
Given the enormous amount of money that is spent on lobbying and the lucrative nature of paid advocacy, It is critically important that those in public service are restrained and their ability to cash in when they leave to join the public sector.
2:40:22
Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
2:40:24
We'd love to have been there in person, but unfortunately, I am stuck in Albany dealing with the state budget.
2:40:31
Thank you.