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Alaska taxpayer-funded lobbying

Taxpayer-funded lobbying is government to government lobbying. Boroughs, cities, school districts, public facilities, and associations of public employees frequently use public funds to influence legislation and appropriations at the state and federal levels.

This practice is controversial because public funds are spent to lobby for an agenda not subject to direct approval by voters, and outcomes may be contrary taxpayers benefit.

Legislation introduced to the Alaskan legislature floor for the 2008 ballot would eliminate taxpayer-funded lobbying donations to election campaigns, but it failed. As of July 31, 2009, supporters of the bill have resurrected it and are trying to have it passed so it applies to the 2010 ballot.

[edit] Federal lobbying

Juneau has reported $680,000 spent lobbying the federal government since 2000.[1] Akutan and Aleutians East Borrough have also lobbied the federal government: Aleutians East Borough has reported a grand total of $417,600 spent on lobbying for the years 2000-2009,[2] and Akutan has reported $430,000 spent lobbying since 2005.[3]

[edit] Earmarks and lobbying success

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin employed a lobbying firm to secure almost $27 million in federal earmarks for Wasilla, a town of 6,700 residents, while she was its mayor: [4]

  • $500,000 for a youth shelter,
  • $1.9 million for a transportation hub,
  • $900,000 for sewer repairs, and
  • $15 million for a rail project.

[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations

The following is a list of Alaska taxpayer-funded lobbying associations by type:

[edit] City and municipal

[edit] School

[edit] Public Employees

[edit] Emergency services

[edit] Public Officials

[edit] Other

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Juneau, Alaska
  2. ↑ Aleutians East Borough, Alaska
  3. ↑ Akutan, Alaska
  4. ↑ "Palin's Small Alaska Town Secured Big Federal Funds", Washington Post, September 2, 2008
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Alaska taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
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Lists of taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
By type

National organizations
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