White House eases stimulus lobbyist restrictions

[Cirque du So-What]

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White House eases stimulus lobbyist restrictions

By Roxana Tiron
Posted: 07/25/09 01:25 PM

In a significant change, the Obama administration will now allow lobbyists to meet and have telephonic discussions with government officials regarding economic recovery projects.

The lifting of the ban comes after K Street has cried foul for months and has challenged the White House on its restrictions.

In March, President Obama announced that government officials would not be allowed to consider the views of lobbyists regarding specific stimulus projects unless the requests are put in writing. The materials also had to be posted on an agency’s website within three business days of receipt. Lobbyists have said that the policy was one more example of the administration's disdain for their industry.

Now, the just-revised rules will allow government personnel to accept meetings and calls from federally registered lobbyists on the implementation of stimulus projects. The head of the Office of Management and Budget, Peter Orszag, issued a new guidance late Friday regarding the administration's communications with registered lobbyists about economic recovery funds.

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[rucky]

1. The concept of lobbying isn't as bad in theory as it is in practice.

I can understand how policymakers (which should remain elected officials) would want to learn about an industry or specials interest before they make policy that would affect it. I could see the benefit of a Legislator contacting a lobby, or vice versa, and *considering* the point of view of an industry that they may not fully understand.

It got so fucked up out of control when the quid pro quo relationships starting kicking in. They got too chummy with lawmakers, to the point where the lobbies started drafting policy.

I'm not against Obama meeting with lobbyists, because I think it should be simple for an honest politician to not let themselves be bought. Sadly, those politicians are few and far between.