| Laborers' PLAN Political and Legislative Action Network |
Follow the money - after election day
Much is said about the role of money in politics when it comes to campaigns and elections. However, that activity merely gains access for individuals and groups to lobby lawmakers.
It is just as important, if not more so, to pay attention to what is spent by organizations after the election - on actual lobbying activities when the legislature is in session.
Twice each year, Wisconsin law requires all registered lobbyist and lobbying organizations to file reports with the state Ethics Board accounting for the time and money they spend lobbying the legislature and state agencies.
In September the Board released figures that show business interests once again leading the pack when it comes to making their case to lawmakers.
During the first six months of 1997, 528 organizations reported spending $12.2 million and 159,000 hours attempting to influence Wisconsin laws and administrative rules.
Of the top 46 lobby organizations listed in the September issue of the Ethics Board newsletter, 35 were businesses or business related groups.
Philip Morris and Crandon Mining lead all lobbying organizations, reporting spending of over $500,000 during the period.
Those spending between $200,000 and $400,000 include Wisconsin Manufactures and Commerce; Wisconsin Merchants Federation and Wisconsin Independent Businesses.
Only one labor organization, the Wisconsin Education Association Council, made the Ethics Board's list.
To add a little perspective - the Wisconsin Laborers' District Council, which lobbies on behalf of Laborers on building trades and working family issues, spent slightly over $18,000 on lobbying activity during the reporting period - primarily on transportation issues and state prevailing wage law.
Organized labor can never compete dollar-for-dollar with business organizations and rich corporations. But, what organized labor lacks in dollars it can make up in people.
That's why factual information on issues is
important. That's why holding elected officials accountable to
issues important to working families is important. And, that is
why real grassroots legislative and political action by real
working people is more important today than ever before.
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call toll-free 1-800-782-4634
or email us at wilabor@solidarity.com