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When local governments use Uncle Sam to steal their money, I suspect most people don't realize they are being taxed for all this pork, which is why local governments love Federal pork.
Congress' end to earmarks changes Ariz. lobbying efforts Firms now target agencies directly by Emily Gersema - May. 10, 2012 10:12 PM The Republic | azcentral.com Congress' moratorium on earmarking federal funds for special interests and pet projects has forced cities such as Phoenix and other organizations to change strategies for lobbying in Washington. "The game has changed to some extent," said Marty Shultz, a longtime lobbyist in Phoenix who works for the national firm Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck. "It is folly to say that we're going to go from 8,000 or 9,000 earmarks in the (legislative process) to zero," Shultz added. "However, there are fewer." For years, earmarks had been a tactic leveraged by lawmakers to obtain funding for special projects in their home states and districts or to build support for their legislation. Nearly two years ago, under pressure from conservatives and anti-tax watchdog groups, congressional lawmakers agreed to an indefinite ban. The result has been a huge reduction in earmarks in every state, according to the national watchdog group, Citizens Against Government Waste, which every year analyzes earmarks for its report called the "Congressional Pig Book." This year, the group, based in Washington, found that Arizona and its cities received $136.3 million in earmarks in fiscal 2005 and none for fiscal 2012. Citizens Against Government Waste said lobbyists have mastered a new method of persuasion now that earmarks are off the table: Contact federal agencies directly to discuss funding opportunities and urge elected officials to influence agency decisions on funding. "When there are no earmarks, the grant agency has more discretion to make those (funding) choices," said Karen Peters, the top lobbyist for Phoenix. "I wouldn't say it's more challenging, but we've had to adapt." Phoenix received more than $1 billion in federal funds for the current fiscal year for a spectrum of federal programs, most of which provide social services for low-income residents. The city spends about $514,300 for the services of four lobbying firms that represent the city in Washington. The City Council recently decided to issue a call for bids on four new contracts, each of which will target a set of federal agencies. For example, one contract is for lobbying on the city's behalf with departments of Homeland Security and Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, while another is for lobbying the departments of Energy and Interior, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. Phoenix receives the most federal funding of any city in the Valley. Peoria's lobbyist, John Schell,said that although the city lacks a federal lobbyist at this time and doesn't receive much federal funding, the city works closely with its elected officials in Congress, such as Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., when the city believes a project may qualify for federal support. "While earmarks have changed, it doesn't mean the feds won't fund something at a regional level," Schell said. Schell said Peoria is thinking of reviving discussion about a bridge over the Central Arizona Project Canal at Lake Pleasant. "And there are some cases where sometimes talking to other (congressional) members who have other priorities can maybe sometimes help put the votes together (to support funding)," Schell said. "But it is really difficult." Richard Bohan, a lobbyist for Maricopa County, said the county's lobbying efforts focus "more on budget rather than earmarks." The county's federal lobbyists tend to discuss local needs with elected officials and with federal agencies "to make sure those buckets get filled." Republic writers Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Sonu Munshi and John Yantis contributed to this report. |