Carolina Journal News Reports: Lobbyists for Government Will Greet Lawmakers At Short Session. It's legal for local government to lobby lawmakers, but how proper is it?
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s courts have ruled it is legal for local governments to use taxpayer resources to lobby the General Assembly on legislation, and that’s exactly what nearly two dozen cities and counties are registered to do as the May 16 legislative short session nears.
As of March 28, eight North Carolina counties and 10 municipalities were listed as principals in the North Carolina General Assembly Lobbying Directory. The local governments are sprinkled among more than 660 lobbyists and 700 principals registered to lobby on behalf of businesses, industries, and advocates for and against specific causes and issues.
The legality of local government lobbying is addressed in an April 2011 “N.C. Local Government Law Blog” by UNC School of Government Professor of Public Law and Government Robert Joyce. He reviews three cases — North Carolina ex rel Horne v. Chafin, Bardolph v. Arnold, and Dollar v. Cary. Joyce concludes:
“So, it appears, local governments may use public funds to try to influence the General Assembly in a particular direction and to put out informational materials regarding issues. They may not, however, use public funds to try to influence the outcome of an election — either an election for office or a referendum on a public issue.”
CONTINUED:http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=8949
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