
The businesses pursuing these kind of projects are generally those
challenging current business models, in fields much like the sharing
economy as well as streaming content via the internet. And once new
organization models come up, many of them bump up against aging
legislation.
Maurice Aguirre Lobbyist:
Without doubt, lobbying from the technology community is not new.
Microsof company and IBM have been at it for decades, and additionally
Google at this moment is the leader in the industry in money spent.
However, the journeys by smaller businesses are notable to some extent
because they're at odds with the image they present of scrappy new
businesses struggling with the establishment - the same structure
they're now being required to cozy up to.
Within the past 3 months, Snapchat, ... all started lobbying in
Washington for the 1st time, each paying D.C. - based lobbying
organisations to screen moves from the federal government and/or
lawmakers that might probably have an effect on their company.
A number of corporations have gone a stage further and opened their very
own workspace in D.C., with their own lobbyist. An internally lobbyist
is not going to have to split time for some other business and helps
confirm a company has a 'seat at the table' in debates of policy or
regulatory points.
Aereo, the NY company that wants to stream over-the-air TV to computer
screens, revived its efforts in D.C. after tv stations, cable operators
and others managed to convince the Supreme Court Of The United States
that its business model need to be prohibited.
Maurice Aguirre DG Group LLP: The necessity to lobby is
oftentimes utmost in fields which have strong, established players.
Ride-sharing organizations are going up against taxi firms, for
instance, and media streaming companies are juggling broadcasters, cable
providers and the recording field.
Most of these challengers usually have deep roots in Washington, are
well funded and can't stand the disturbance the Internet has brought.
In home entertainment, for example, Netflix put in $1.3 million on
government lobbying just the previous year, while the National Cable and
Telecommunications Association spent $20 million. Comcast, Time Warner
and a host of entertainment and/or broadcasting corporations put several
millions more.
Just a few words and phrases it's possible you'll come across from the
Maurice Aguirre Dallas Lobbyist weblog:
Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (HLOGA): Passed in 2007 as an
amendment to the Lobbying Disclosure Act, this law expanded disclosure
requirements for lobbyists and Members of Congress. Lobbyists must now
file quarterly reports of lobbying activities and state in a semi-annual
certification that they have read, understand, and not violated House
or Senate gift and travel rules. They must also detail in their
semi-annual reports any contributions to political campaigns or to
events to recognize a Member if the total spent during the filing period
exceeds $200. On the other hand, Members of Congress must disclose any
sponsorship of earmarks. Other provisions of HLOGA relate to lobbyists'
spending on gifts and travel for Members, and an expansion in the
"cooling off" period for former Senators looking for private sector
positions.
Maurice Aguirre Washington DC
- Marking Up a Bill: Considering amendments to a measure in committee,
taking it section by section, revising language, penciling in new
phrases, etc. If the bill is extensively revised, the new version may be
introduced as a separate bill, with a new number.
"Personal Friendship": An exception in the House and Senate gift rules
that is often misunderstood. According to the gift rules, the personal
friendship exception can only be applied to a gift under several
circumstances: (1) a history of a relationship and gift exchange must
exist between the lobbyist and Congressional recipient, (2) the lobbyist
paid for the gift him/herself and was not reimbursed for the gift, (3)
the same gift was not given to other Congressional Members or staffers.
Maurice Aguirre Dallas
National Party Committee: Refers to one of the six national party
organizations: the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Democratic
Congressional Candidate Committee (DCCC), Democratic Senatorial
Candidate Committee (DSCC), Republican National Committee (RNC),
National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and National
Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC). Lobbyists, organizations and
PACs controlled by lobbyists or organizations are required to disclose
any amounts of $200 or more that were contributed to either of these
committees.