Where can I find lobbyists?

If you’re having trouble finding a lobbyist with expertise in your area, check out this database from OpenSecrets.org. This database includes information from financial reports filed by Washington lobbyists. You can see which lobbyists that organizations with interests similar to yours are hiring and giving money to.

Who are usually lobbyists?

Often, lobbyists are past government officials, policy experts, and attorneys.

What are lobbyists and what do lobbyists do?

Lobbyists are professional advocates that work to influence political decisions on behalf of individuals and organizations. This advocacy could lead to the proposal of new legislation, or the amendment of existing laws and regulations.

What is the main purpose of Lobbying?

Lobbying provides access to government legislatures that no single individual could possibly hope to achieve. By grouping individual goals together into a lobbying aim, lobbyists represent the interests of many and are more likely to be heard by legislatures than if they came bearing the concerns of one voter.

How much are lobbyists paid?

Lobbyist Industry Salary says the average salary is ​$115,378​ with the typical lobbyist salary falling between ​$92,973​ and ​$159,089​. The full range is from ​$72,000​ to almost ​$200,000​.

Are lobbyists good?

Since lobbyists often specialize in specific subject areas, they can represent and articulate the interests of their clients as experts in the matter. Therefore, lobbyists can also educate and bring to light issues that public officials might be unfamiliar with, providing benefits to both parties.

Is lobbying a crime?

In the U.S., lobbying is legal, while bribery is not. Bribery is an effort to buy power, while lobbying is just an effort to influence it; but admittedly, the distinction between the two can be opaque.

Who can lobby?

Lobbying, which usually involves direct, face-to-face contact, is done by many types of people, associations and organized groups, including individuals in the private sector, corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or advocacy groups (interest groups).

What are the negatives of lobbying?

List of the Cons of Lobbying

  • It is based on the needs of the minority.
  • It is an effort to accomplish a specific goal.
  • It can only be effective for a specific group.
  • It can be illegal.
  • It changes how the government operates.
  • It requires experience to offer a solution.
  • It may not work.

Who is the highest paid lobbyist?

Here are the top 20 lobbyists with the highest disclosed compensation:

  • Robert Babbage, $699,550.
  • John McCarthy III, $539,494.
  • Patrick Jennings, $452,192.
  • Sean Cutter, $407,023.
  • Ronald Pryor, $395,909.
  • Karen Thomas-Lentz, $318,979.
  • Laura Owens, $313,700.
  • John Cooper, $307,898.

Can you lobby without being a lobbyist?

Lobbyists are not simply individuals who engage in lobbying. As an example of one common exception, a legislator attempting to gather support for a bill through the normal course of legislative operations would not be considered a lobbyist.