HB 1342 Prohibiting Taxpayer Money From Going to Associations which Hire Lobbyists
HB 1342 (Rep. Steve Vaillancourt-R) was introduced to the prohibiting state and local governments from using funds to employ a lobbyist. Public funds should not be used to hire lobbyists who work in opposition to legislative initiatives submitted by citizens.
Many lobbyists are currently paid by taxpayer dollars that are collected by our towns and cities, or maybe even the state. Why are our tax dollars being used to lobby against us?
|
Lobbyist |
Non-Profit Organization |
Salary |
Total Revenues |
Total Assets |
Year |
|
Mark Joyce |
NH School Administrators Association |
$163,816 |
$866,033 |
$301,069 |
2010 |
|
Dean Michener |
NH School Boards Association |
$109,340 |
$881,292 |
$1,268,394 |
2010 |
For example, the Nashua 2012 Budget:
School Department: Membership Dues & Subscriptions $98,950
Conferences & Seminar Registration $28,250
Taxpayer money should not be used in a partisan manner against taxpayers. Lobbyists have an inherent conflict of interest and often deny the existence of problems in their department.
Self-government cannot succeed if taxpayers are forced to pay for lobbyists to work against them. Citizens can't afford to go to the State House day after day like lobbyists do. Publicly paid lobbyists supersede and replace the voice of citizens.