QUESTION
What approach does Ben Weinberg suggest for addressing lobbying concerns when accepting public campaign funds?
2:40:38
·
108 sec
Weinberg acknowledges the existing system requires lobbyists to disclose political activities and fundraising. He suggests building upon this disclosure system could be an effective approach.
- There is a lack of disclosures actually being filed under the current system
- There is a discrepancy between companies paid for political consulting and those reporting as lobbyists
- Proper enforcement is needed to ensure lobbying disclosure transparency
- Enhancing the current disclosure system could streamline the process
Lincoln Restler
2:40:38
I I just wanna test one no question to the panel with regard to and I I appreciate, Ben, your comment that there is a model on council member brewers bill in San Francisco that is being emulated.
2:40:55
What did folks think of the alternative approach suggested by Mister Ryan from the CFPB in trying to tackle this issue of regulating this through the clerk's office, and do you think that could be an effective approach, or do you prefer how this was drafted originally back out to member Brewer.
Ben Weinberg
2:41:21
I'd preface this by saying I'm not sure I understood the entire proposal But I do think we we do have already a system where lobbyists disclosed their political activities and they're fundraising.
2:41:36
They we have a definition in the lobbying law, and they must do and they must report that.
2:41:40
So if that if the idea is to build on top of that system and those disclosures, I think that totally makes sense.
2:41:46
And if it it would streamline the process, I will say we have concerns about whether this this closures are these activities are being disclosed.
2:41:55
There aren't a whole lot of them that are filed or at least that we can find.
2:42:01
If you look at the political expenses side and the CFP side, you see way more companies receiving money for political consulting than lobbying companies reporting their political consulting.
2:42:15
So I think that We can definitely use that disclosure system.
2:42:20
We just have to make sure that it is enforced, and those activities are actually disclosed.
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Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG on Strengthening Oversight of the Lobbying Industry and Curbing Conflicts of Interest in New York City Government
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What approach does Rachel Fauss suggest for addressing lobbying concerns when accepting public campaign funds?
