The Role of the Lobbyist
Lobbyists are one of our industry's tools for protecting your interests in the State Capitol. Every year thousands of bills are introduced in the California Legislature. Many of these affect how business conducts itself. Some can be directly targeted at our industry.
Lobbyists review each bill that is introduced and every amendment to each bill, and forward to the association bills that may be of interest to the industry. If the association needs clarification as to what a bill will do, the lobbyist goes to work by contacting the author's office, the committee consultant, and/or the sponsor.
If it is determined that the bill will hurt the industry, the lobbyist goes to work to either defeat the bill or to have it amended. This requires lobbying the author and members of the Legislature, working with the author's staff and committee consultant, negotiation with other interested groups, and working with the association to coordinate effective grassroots lobbying, if necessary.
The lobbyist must also monitor the budget process and lobby to protect the industry from additional fees and taxes. Lastly, if the industry needs a change in the law, the lobbyist attempts to obtain an author for a bill and lobbies it through the legislative process.
The lobbyist must know the process, know who to contact, and have credibility in the legislative community. Like any other endeavor, it is essential to have someone who has the expertise to get the job done.
Edelstein & Gilbert is a Sacramento-based legislative advocacy/governmental relations firm that serves as the Legislative Watchdog for California Staffing Professionals. Your legislative contributions help to defray the expenses associated with this commitment toward fighting legislation that is detrimental to our industry and to supporting issues which are favorable.
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