A city joint governance and finance committee is recommending a new lobbyist registry for the city. It would kick in September 1.
The city defines lobbying as something done by a person representing a business or financial interest who is trying to influence decisions.
There are all sorts of exemptions to the definition, but under the new recommendations, anyone who lobbies a politician or city staffer is required to record the contact in an online database anyone can check.
Many developers opposed to the new requirements saying they would spend more time registering their contact than actually making it. There are also concerns of confidentiality…with all data available to all, it means, their competition has access to what they’ve been doing.
Council votes on the recommendation next week.