The Importance Of Lobbyists And Interest Groups

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Kenda C.
Merriex #2864903 SU-GOVT-2306-74428 Lobbyists and interest groups in Texas 26 May 2017
A lobbyist can be defined as a person hired by a special interest group, to persuade or dissuade public officials on particular legislation. The term lobbyist was coined from when people used to hang in lobbies waiting on legislators going to vote. Although lobbying is protected by the First Amendment as our right to petition the government, there should be tougher restrictions and more strict oversight on interest groups. There’s a saying that says there’s strength in numbers, but special interest groups with the help of lobbyists can use monetary influence to impel legislators toward their agenda. All people should have an influential voice in …show more content…
A person running for congress needs an extensive cash flow in order to get in office as well as stay in office, and that’s where special interest groups come in to play. They can sponsor fundraisers that can generate tens of thousands of dollars in a single afternoon, and by doing this they are able to monopolize the conversation towards their plan. Legislators could be tempted to pass legislation in favor of the special interest groups in order to keep them happy, because they have become more reliant on their funding to further their political careers. “You can’t take a congressman to lunch for twenty-five dollars and buy him a steak. 1 But you can take him to a fundraising lunch and not only buy him that steak but give him 25,000 extra and call it a fundraiser.”- Jack Abramoff, former lobbyist (Friedersdorf) If I were to go before a congressman regarding the way educational funds were being dispersed, I would more than likely get ignored or set aside like yesterday’s trash. Texas State …show more content…
They are also able to send mass communication to their perspective legislators. The NRA instructs their members to send letters and make phone calls regarding a particular piece of legislation. When flooded with numerous emails and phone calls from concerned constituents they tend to listen. Just because a particular group has more funds, does it make them better than an individual with none? While I understand time is of the essence, I feel the same rules should apply across the board. One shouldn’t have to throw fundraising dinners just have a moment with their legislator regarding a particular issues. Beginning in January, on odd numbered years, Texas Legislature meets for 140 days. During that short time span, between 6000 and 7000 pieces of legislation could potentially be introduced. On top all that, the budget for the state of Texas must be ironed out and implement during this time frame (Benson118&123). Being that a lot of material must be introduced and processed, lobbyists tend to throw “fundraising parties” in order to create a relaxed, and depressurized environment to communicate with the legislator. It is said that a great extent of legislators do not have
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