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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 8, 2016 11:10 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Leanne Krueger |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Ban on Lobbyists as Campaign Consultants |
| Pennsylvanians have a right to trust in the integrity and effectiveness of their government. It is increasingly clear that many people do not retain this trust, and believe that their government is broken – unduly influenced by individuals, corporations and other special interests that flood the political process with large sums of money. Many of the same special interests and other entities that contribute large amounts of cash to influence the outcome of our elections also spend large amounts of money to retain lobbyists to influence the shape of our public policies. It is only appropriate that the people, through their elected officials, be able to both measure and regulate the extent of this influence on both our politics and our government. As such, I will be introducing legislation to ensure that the lobbyists who receive compensation from special interests to influence policy in our government are not at the same time, acting or receiving compensation to directly influence the outcome of our elections. My bill would prohibit lobbyists or their principals in Pennsylvania from operating as a campaign consultant, having a financial interest in a campaign-consulting firm, or receiving anything of value for campaign-related services rendered to a campaign for public office. There is a perception among people that the wealthiest voices are now the loudest, and the ones with the most access to and influence on our public officials. The extent to which these powerful special interests have become entrenched in both our election of public officials and the attempt to influence them once they take office, is one of the primary reasons for Harrisburg’s inability to do more than maintain the status quo. My legislation is part of an effort by House Democrats to bring about reforms that will improve transparency and reduce the influence of money in our politics so that we can once again tip the balance of control of our government away from the wealthy special interests and back to the Pennsylvanians who elect our public officials. |
Introduced as HB1978