On government lobbying government
Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Tom Humphrey’s recent article analyzes the growing trend of local governments – cities, counties, and school boards in particular – hiring lobbyists with taxpayer money. Beacon CEO Justin Owen criticizes the practice in the article.
“The rules for private citizens and private companies that lobby are more stringent than for government lobbying. I think that’s unfair,” said Justin Owen, president of the Beacon Center of Tennessee and a registered lobbyist in the organization billing itself as promoting “free market policy solutions to public policy issues.” “At the end of the day, we should get rid of this completely,” said Owen. “If a mayor or a school board member or a public utility executive is effective, there should be no need to hire an outside lobbyist with taxpayer dollars.”
Read the entire article here.