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Mississippi taxpayer-funded lobbying

Taxpayer-funded lobbying is government to government lobbying. Counties, 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.

[edit] Federal lobbying

Madison County expanded the duties of its federal lobbyist to include presenting local issues to the Mississippi Legislature in late 2010, making it one of the entities that has both in-state and federal lobbying representation.[1] Steve Seale, a former member of the state Senate, will get $2,500 a month to lobby the Legislature. Seale is expected to keep the county abreast of legislative happenings, as well as represent the county's interests in legislative redistricting.

[edit] Transparency

Madison County's lobbyist has been accused of avoiding questions relating to his lobbying contract with the county.[2]

[edit] Lobbying associations

The Mississippi Municipal League, to which 288 cities and towns belong,[3] "advocates aggressively for municipal-friendly legislation."[4] As of 2010, this includes issues such as opposing the expansion of the sales tax holiday and opposing a bill that would treat police officers differently from other public employees with regards to due process.[4]

[edit] Lobbying required for receiving bonds

The Mississippi Legislature singled out Jackson as the only municipality that needed to submit an application to and lobby the state Bond Commission in order to receive a loan that the lawmakers had promised the city.[5]

[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations

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

[edit] Elected officials

[edit] Emergency services

[edit] Justice

[edit] Municipal

[edit] Public officials

[edit] Schools

[edit] Other

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ↑ "Madison Co. lobbyist paid $75K annually to lobby Washington", Mississippi Business Journal, October 19, 2010
  2. ↑ "Madison County Lobbyist won't answer questions until you answer some questions first, and prove your 'special'" (sic), November 2, 2010
  3. ↑ Mississippi Municipal League Member Cities
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Legislative - Mississippi Municipal League
  5. ↑ "Jackson Singled Out for Bond ‘Lobbying’", Jackson Free Press, August 18, 2010
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Mississippi taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
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Lists of taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
By type

National organizations
Cities • Counties • Schools • Police • Universities

By state

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Retrieved from "http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Mississippi_taxpayer-funded_lobbying"
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