REMARKS
Council Member Lincoln Restler discusses lobbying reform legislation Intro 77-A
0:33:06
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Council Member Lincoln Restler presents Intro 77-A, a legislation aimed at reforming lobbying laws in New York City. He highlights the need to restrict the influence of special interests and close the "revolving door" that allows high-ranking officials to immediately lobby after leaving office.
- Restler cites the increase in lobbying expenditure, reaching $131 million last year.
- He criticizes the current laws that allowed the mayor's former chief of staff to lobby 99% of mayoral staff immediately after leaving office.
- The council member emphasizes the importance of this bill in restoring public trust in government, especially in light of recent scandals.
Lincoln Restler
0:33:06
Thank you, majority leader.
0:33:08
I just first wanna apologize if I'm somewhat incoherent and sleep deprived.
0:33:12
I'm thrilled to be with you, all today.
0:33:16
Sorry to be away from my little baby Elliot, but appreciative that my wife and parents are with him and allowing me to come in to discuss, this critical new legislation, intro 77 a.
0:33:26
You know, we've all seen an explosion of lobbying in New York City over the last decade.
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Lobbyists spent a $131,000,000 last year to influence policymakers twice as much as a decade ago.
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And while we all rely on policy expertise, external expertise to help make informed decisions, we have to ensure that special interests don't have outsized influence in determining outcomes in government.
0:33:47
Our lobbying laws have absolutely failed to restrict the most powerful people in the mayor's office from capitalizing on their public service for personal gain.
0:33:56
That is exactly why that is exactly what the mayor's chief of staff, Frank Caron, did.
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From a corner office across the building in in city hall, he freely admitted to creating a lobbying practice while still working in city government.
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And when he left city government, the very next day, the most powerful person in the mayor's office was permitted to lobby 99% of the mayor's staff, 99% of mayoral agencies.
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This is legalized corruption, and our legislation slams the door shut on the revolving door.
0:34:27
It also you know, and considering, frankly, the many scandals that have plagued the Adams administration, this is a critical moment for all of us in government to help restore the public trust, to help restore the confidence that New Yorkers have that we are governing on their behalf, not working to enrich ourselves.
0:34:46
I'd really like to thank, the, folks who worked on this bill, especially, committee counsel Jay Suganapathy, David Sizer for his expert guidance, Jeff Baker, Jeremy John, Faiza Ali, Mandela Jones.
0:34:58
Really wanna thank the speaker for her ethical leadership of this body.
0:35:02
And I just lastly wanna thank my chief of staff, Molly Haley, who cares more about ethical government than anyone I know, has been a tremendous partner for me on everything we do in our office, but especially on this bill.
0:35:12
So thank you so much, and hope you all support it.