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Phoenix hires lobbyists to get Washington DC pork.
Currently Phoenix receives $1.07 billion in pork from Washington D.C. Phoenix to choose Washington, D.C. lobbyists Phoenix may let 1 firm handle work by Lynh Bui - Apr. 22, 2012 08:47 PM The Republic | azcentral.com The Phoenix City Council will decide Tuesday how to award more than half a million dollars in federal lobbying contracts as the city determines the best way it should be represented in Washington, D.C. At issue will be whether Phoenix has one company handle all of the city's lobbying efforts on the Hill or if the city should contract with multiple firms with different areas of expertise. Councilman Tom Simplot said hiring lobbyists to represent the city at the federal level tends to spark controversy because elected officials have divergent views on what a lobbyist's job should be. "I happen to be one of those members of the council who believes it's the lobbyist's job to bring home the bacon when there are federal contracts and federal money available," Simplot said. In the past, Simplot said, some members of the council have "believed it was the primary role of our representative in Washington to act as personal escorts and tour guides" for elected officials visiting Washington, D.C. "I find that offensive, and it is a waste of taxpayer dollars," Simplot said. The city now spends about $514,300 for contracts to four lobbying firms to represent the city on various issues in Washington. The federal lobbyists work to influence members of Congress on important legislation that would impact Phoenix, but the bulk of the job involves working with federal agencies that regulate or fund city programs, said Karen Peters, government-relations director for Phoenix. Phoenix currently has $1.07 billion in federal funds paying for various programs that touch everything from neighborhood revitalization to public safety and aviation, according to the city's government-relations office. While the federal money helps Phoenix with programs such as Metro light rail, community-development block grants and homeland security, it does come with strings attached as the city must comply with complicated federal rules and grant requirements. "It's important to have firms that understand those requirements and that are in communication with the granting agency," Peters said. "You also want them to have a good relationship with the agencies that would put yourself in line for future grants." The contracts are set to expire for all four companies that now lobby for Phoenix on federal issues. Murray, Montgomery & O'Donnell, located in Washington, D.C., represents the city on public-safety, homeland-security, neighborhood, human-services, economic-development, parks and water issues for $205,200 annually. McBee Strategic, also in Washington, D.C., covers aviation, transportation, transit, energy and sustainability issues for $205,200 annually. Phoenix-based Molera Alvarez represents the city in water issues for $55,992 annually. Phoenix-based Mario E. Diaz & Associates represents the city on aviation issues tied to the Transportation Security Administration for $48,000 annually. Some Arizona cities and towns, such as Surprise, El Mirage and Scottsdale, have voted recently to get rid of their federal lobbying contracts all together. But as the sixth-largest city in the nation, Phoenix can't afford to do the same, Peters said. The city has major regional responsibilities, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and human-services programs, that are regulated or funded by the federal government but managed by Phoenix. The Metro light rail alone was supported by $587 million in federal dollars to build the first 20 miles. Councilman Bill Gates said having federal representation in Washington, D.C., is important because Phoenix doesn't always get its fair share of funding compared with the amount of taxes its citizens send to Washington. "It's also important that we have a firm or firms working with us that have that ability to have contacts with the key decision makers on both sides of the aisle," Gates said. Republic reporters Beth Duckett and Dustin Gardiner contributed to this article. |