Lobbying reforms

It’s not easy being transparent and Bill Galvin, Secretary of State,  has pulled off a triumph in the state wide transparency challenge with his office’s web site that helps public policy advocates decide if and when they should register as lobbyists and how to report their activities and expenses.

One of the key ethics reforms passed last year contain big changes in the lobbying laws that specifically define “lobbying activities” and define exactly who must register as an executive or legislative lobbyist. All in response to a bunch of bad guys who disgraced the profession of lobbyists.

We know that policymakers make different decisions when they are watched by their constituents. In order to make that policy-making process more transparent, Governor Deval Patrick has filed "An Act Improving the Laws Relating to Ethics and Lobbying."

But what would this pending ethics bill mean for all of the Massachusetts nonprofits that want to voice their opinion on public policy? Will it restrict their ability to advocate for their causes? Will registering lobbyists be prohibitively expensive for small nonprofits?

It sounds like this bill is going to go quickly through the legislature, so now is the time to answer all of these questions! Pam Wilmot, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts, and a member of the Governor's Task Force on Public Integrity, will walk us through this important piece of legislation, and answer your questions!

Join us Wednesday, March 25th at 5:00pm in the 9th floor conference room at 30 Winter
Street. To make our Insider Budget Briefings more accessible, we are reducing tuition to only $10, including a light supper and take-home materials. Tuition may be waived for those who need assistance.

Event Info:
Wednesday, March 25th, 5:00-7:00pm
30 Winter Street, 9th Floor [Map]
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
RSVP by March 23rd to carmen@realclout.org