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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 199-06
June 13, 2006

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING CITY’S LOBBYING LAWS

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The first package of bills before me are Introductory Numbers 190-A, 191-A and 192-A, sponsored, in conjunction with our Administration, by Speaker Quinn, Council Members Arroyo, Avella, Brewer, Fidler, Garodnick, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Lappin, Mark-Viverito, Martinez, Nelson, Palma, Weprin, White Jr., Liu, Vacca, Gennaro, Gentile, Jackson and the Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum.  Intros 191-A and 192-A were also sponsored by Council Member Dickens.  These bills seek to reform the City’s lobbying laws.
 
“In my State of the City address last January, I pledged to continue working to strengthen the integrity of government by limiting the influence of lobbyists.  I called on the Council to join me in supporting a gift ban on lobbyists and to require electronic filing.  I was pleased to find an eager partner in this effort in Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who approached me early in her term to suggest that we work together on these and additional legislative efforts to regulate lobbying. 

“Lobbying activity in New York City has more than doubled over the last five years, and concerns have grown about the influence that lobbyists wield.  Many citizens believe that lobbyists get preferential treatment – and recent scandals in Washington D.C. have only reinforced public cynicism about government.  To counter this trend, we must strengthen the integrity of government by raising the standards by which we are bound.  This package of groundbreaking bills will do just that, and, perhaps most importantly, will increase the City’s capacity to enforce these new standards.

“Intro’s 190-A, 191-A and 192-A would amend the City’s current lobbying laws by (1) creating a mandatory electronic filing system for lobbyists; (2) requiring full lobbyist disclosure of all fundraising and consulting activities; (3) strengthening enforcement and penalties for violations of the lobbying law; (4) banning all gifts from lobbyists to City officials; and (5) preventing lobbyists’ contributions from being matched with public funds.

“When fully implemented, Intro’s 190-A, 191-A and 192-A will strengthen the accessibility, transparency and integrity of City government for its citizens, and it will make our City a national leader in lobbying reform.

“I would like to thank Speaker Quinn for her leadership, and the entire City Council for their efforts on this important package of legislation.  I would also like to thank the Law Department and all staff who worked on these bills, for their dedication and hard work.  Finally, I would like to thank the civic groups that provided valuable assistance.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958




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