Oklahoma taxpayer-funded lobbying
Contents |
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] State level
The state has at least one lobbyist permanently on its payroll. [1]
[edit] Success of lobbying
Lobbyists are successful because of their ability to apply political pressure. They allegedly spread rumors about legislators that do not support their issues to hurt them politically. [1]
In addition to this, the legislature does not have the resources to look into all of the proposed issues that public entities advocate for. Legislators also tend to hear more from proponents of new or more spending, than opponents to it.[1] Therefore, it becomes easier to support spending and more government than to oppose it.
Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations have found advocacy success from collaborating together.[1] One such example is the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future. [1]
[edit] Suggested reforms
Some have recommended more transparency as a step that would help curb frivolous spending.[1] Currently, many nonprofits are exempt from disclosure requirements regarding their relationships with lobbyists.[1] Full disclosure should be required with documents openly available on the internet. [1]
Also, the legislature should give itself tools to scrutinize the operations and spending requests of government agencies and private organizations. [1]
[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
The following is a list of Oklahoma taxpayer-funded lobbying associations by type:
[edit] County
[edit] Emergency services
[edit] Municipal
[edit] School
[edit] Other
- County Officers and Deputies Association
- National Solid Wastes Management Association
- Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts
- Oklahoma Lakes and Countries Association
[edit] References
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Lists of taxpayer-funded lobbying associations |
|---|---|
| By type |
National organizations |
| By state |
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming • |
State of Oklahoma Oklahoma City (capital) | |
|---|---|
| Transparency |
Open Records Act | Transparency Checklist | Government corruption reports | State budget | Open records procedures | Transparency advocates | State budget | Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations | |
| Divisions |
List of Counties |
List of Cities |
List of School Districts | |
| Government |
Oklahoma State Constitution | Executive | House of Representatives | Senate | |
| Judiciary |
Oklahoma Supreme Court | Court Election (2008) | Court of Criminal Appeals | Court of Civil Appeals | Judicial Nominating Commission | Judicial News | |
| Ballot Measures |
2008 ballot measures | 2008 local ballot measures) | List of ballot measures | Initiative laws | History of Initiatives | Campaign finance requirements | |









