CMC Interest Groups Course

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Los Angeles Lobbies D.C.

A recent LA Times article highlights a prime example of local governments lobbying at the national level. A delegation of nearly 200 business owners and civic leaders from Los Angeles traveled to D.C. to lobby Congress for greater funding for transportation, education, small businesses, and many other interests. Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, Santa Monica Mayor Herb Katz, and LAUSD Superintendent Brewer were among the high-profile delegates on the annual "Access Washington" trip sponsored by the LA Chamber of Commerce. Villaraigosa rallied the delegation, saying "Our job is to advocate for our fair share. Most of you know full well that when you look at what California gets for its tax dollars, and what Los Angeles gets, it's obviously nothing of what we could or should receive." The group held meetings and news conferences with Members of Congress, such as Rep. Dreir (R-San Dimas), Rep. Clyburn (D-SC), Sen. Murray (D-WA), and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), among others. Pelosi told the delegation, "Know your power. [...] When you come, it makes a big difference. People listen." The delegation also lobbied for national issues affecting Los Angeles, such as immigration reform and passage of the Colombia FTA.

Local Government, Lobbying Review

The United States has a large number of local governments.

Local governments are creatures of the state.

Here in California, lobbyists must navigate municipal, county, and district governments.

Local governments often offer opportunities for public comment. Such opportunities may mean less than you think

As Nownes says, land use is a major issue for local government. Zoning is the word. A key concept is the conditional use permit.

Also as Nownes says, the process is so complex that interests often need consultants.

Big business does not always win:

Back to state government. Eminent domain is a big issue with the duel between Proposition 98 and Proposition 99.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Unbelievable Primary Show

Primary: The Musical! - courtesy of (Politico) Playbook TV's James Kotecki:

Mentioned: Rust Belt, China, Wal Mart

I think the video should show up above but just in case it doesn't

PicCell Wireless Contributes Money From Calls to Sponsor Lobbyists and Grassroots

Today I received this e-mail from the wireless company I used while abroad:

Dear Lindsay Mandel,

In December, you helped us write a donation check to The Borgen Project in the amount of $3,547.40. And you were giving by simply using your PicCell phone! For every call you made during a designated 12-day period in December, PicCell Wireless contributed $0.10 toward The Borgen Project's landmark efforts to pass the Global Poverty Act in U.S. Congress.

$3,547.40 makes a big difference in fighting the good fight
The donation covered the cost of sending a Borgen Project delegation to Washington, D.C. to build support for the Global Poverty Act. The remaining funds were used to reinforce a public awareness campaign.

Your impact by the numbers
3: Number of Senators who had co-sponsored the Global Poverty Act before PicCell raised enough money to send a Borgen Project delegation to Washington, D.C. to build support for the Global Poverty Act.

14: Number of Senators who have now co-sponsored the Global Poverty Act after The Borgen Project delegation arrived in Washington, D.C. In the weeks following The Borgen Project's meetings, the bill passed in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and will next be voted on by the entire Senate.

Thank you for being part of this international effort!

Learn more about...
PicCell Philanthropy
The Borgen Project
The Global Poverty Act
How you can help

Kindest regards,
PicCell Wireless

Surprising Source of Obama Support

The New York Times reports that hedge fund managers like Barack Obama. Why?

In a word, access. Unlike Mr. McCain and Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama is relatively new to national politics and is therefore open to bringing new people — and new money — into the tent. For money types who want a table, or at least to look involved and get an invitation to the right parties, Mr. Obama is the candidate. As one of the hedge fund managers on the Alpha list said, “To be in Hillary’s inner circle, you had to be giving a decade ago, when Bill was president.” The same goes for Mr. McCain.