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Washington 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.

In 2009, public agencies spent more than $6 million lobbying Olympia:[1]

  • Tacoma Public Utilities spent $191,353 lobbying the state of Washington
  • The Office of the Governor spent $107,141 on in-state lobbying
  • The biggest public lobbyer, the University of Washington, spent $306,377.

According to lobbying reports filed with the Public Disclosure Commission, lobbying expenditures by public agencies have more than doubled over the past decade in Washington.

[edit] Disclosure issues

Forms filed with the Public Disclosure Commission by lobbyists reveal at least $4.6 million in lobbying expenditures not filed by their public agency clients.[1]

Sound Transit failed to file lobbying reports for the last seven years amounting to over $800,000 in undisclosed lobbying. The delinquent reports were filed after the Freedom Foundation asked them to explain the missing reports.[1]

In addition, by cross-checking agency lobbying reports with contract lobbyist reports, the Bellingham Herald discovered 67 other public agencies that failed to disclose or underreported their lobbying expenditures.[1]

Some agencies, such as Puget Sound Partnership, pay in-house staff to lobby in lieu of contract lobbyists.[1]

Public agencies can be penalized for failing to properly file lobbying reports on time, but to little effect. The penalty is minimal - just a few thousand dollars, and even if an agency were penalized, the fine would be paid out of the agency's budget. This means taxpayers not only pay for the lobbying but the penalties as well.[1]

[edit] Evergreen Freedom Foundation investigation

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation found that 68 agencies in Washington had failed to disclose their lobbying. The Transit Authority has not complied with transparency laws and has not report its lobbying activity for seven years, which amounted to $800,000.[2]

[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying associations

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

[edit] City

[edit] County

[edit] Emergency services

[edit] Justice

[edit] School

[edit] Port

[edit] Other

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Washington should limit taxpayer-funded lobbying", Bellingham Herald, August 2, 2010
  2. ↑ Get Free TV, 68 Washington public agencies fail to report lobbying expenses, July 2010


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Washington taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
Association of Washington Cities • Washington Association of Conservation Districts • Washington Association of Counties • Washington Association of County Officials • Washington Association of Drug Courts • Washington Association of Juvenile Court Administrators • Washington Association of School Administrators • Washington Association of School Personnel Association • Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts • Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs • Washington Court Reporters Association • Washington Fire Commissioners Association • Washington Public Ports Association • Washington Public Utilities Districts Association • Washington Recreation & Parks Association • Washington School Counselors Association • Washington School Personnel Association • Washington State Association of Counties • Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs • Washington State Bar Association • Washington State Council of Fire Fighters • Washington State Council of Police & Sheriffs • Washington State District & Municipal Court Judges Association • Washington State School Directors' Association
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Lists of taxpayer-funded lobbying associations
By type

National organizations
Cities • Counties • Schools • Police • Universities

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 •

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