Senator Valesky Calls on Governor Cuomo to Include Lobbying Reforms Requiring Political Consultants and Procurement Lobbyists to Register as Lobbyists in the State of the State Agenda

ALBANY, January 11, 2016 ─ Today Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) announced that he will be introducing legislation to bring greater accountability to government by reforming the lobbying law. Senator Valesky is urging Governor Andrew Cuomo to include these important reforms in his State of the State agenda.

“Transparency and accountability are the key to ensuring trust in our government,” Senator Valesky said.  “I have pushed for similar proposals in the past and we need to reform our system now more than ever.  Political consultants represent a wide range of clients and perform similar functions as lobbyists.  There is no good reason the law should provide a loophole for quasi-lobbyists when the public has a concerted interest in understanding what these political players do, particularly when they have a direct line to our sitting elected officials.  This should change, and it should change today.”

First, the legislation would require political consultants who provide services to elected officials to register as lobbyists if they have business before the state. Services can include issue consulting, public relations or media services.

The State’s ethics laws already require elected officials to disclose relationships and business interests they may share with those who do business before the state and lobbyists. This same scrutiny has not focused on the potential conflicts of interest that may also arise when a political consultant is hired provide services to an elected official, and then is paid to lobby the same state government official.

Second, the legislation would require individuals who sell products to government agencies to register as lobbyists. Currently, they are exempted from registering under the lobbying law.

Senator Valesky said, "I urge Governor Cuomo to include these reforms in his State of the State agenda."