Secretary of State Michael Watson issued the following statement.
In response to inaccurate statements circulating on social media regarding lobbyist registration, it is imperative Mississippians are provided with accurate information.
Miss. Code Ann. Section 5-8-3 defines a “Lobbyist” as:
(i) An individual who is employed and receives payments, or who contracts for economic consideration, including reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses, for the purpose of lobbying;
(ii) An individual who represents a legislative or public official or public employee, or who represents a person, organization, association or other group, for the purpose of lobbying;
(iii) A sole proprietor, owner, part owner or shareholder in a business who has a pecuniary interest in legislative or executive action, who engages in lobbying activities; or
(iv) Any individual described in subparagraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (l) who is employed by or has contracted with any agency, legislative or public official or public employee, or any other public entity for the purpose of providing any type of consulting or other similar service but also engages in any type of lobbying activities. Such individual shall not qualify for any exemption under Section 5-8-7.
Miss. Code Ann. Section 5-8-7 does provide exceptions to those who must register as a lobbyist, but there are no uniform exceptions for someone who gives or promises less than $200.00 or more to public officials. Each exemption is nuanced and deals with factual scenarios.
Undoubtedly, lobbyists are not limited to those who receive compensation and give or promise $200.00 or more to public officials, as externally stated. Only two definitions of lobbyist used in Miss. Code Ann. Section 5-8-3 reference employment or payment and each exemption requires specific application of fact.
If you have questions about your responsibilities under Mississippi’s lobbying laws, please reach out to our office to get trusted sources of information. If you have questions, please contact Debra Monroe at 601-359-9412 or email lobbying@sos.ms.gov.
10 comments:
the lobbyists....the 4th branch of government.
they operate under no rules
as for their fees.....................
well, i once asked a lobbyist what he charged to take up a cause before the congress and his answer was''whats it worth to you?''
lobbying is legalized bribery , pure and simple.
hit up ticos on any night during the legislative session and watch em at work.
Why did we need this definition?
Chucky Lumbanda and his folks must didn't get that Memo! Stuff getting ready to come down the pipe
Because the MS Secretary of State is illegally trying to curtail First Amendment Rights by issuing social media releases stating that asking others to contact their Legislators, etc. is "lobbying," and as such, they must be registered as lobbyists. He is wrong.
Watson also took money from draft kings...
Detest lobbying. Wink, nudge, gift, under the table crap.
It should be illegal for any legislator, city counsel, anyone in public office to receive anything.
What if I’m a lobbyist hobbyist?
The way all of these high-profile politicians in our state are vehemently fighting everyone who is outspoken on the school choice issue makes it look like there's a lot of lobbyist money being thrown at the politicians. When an overwhelmingly number or people are outspoken and against it, where there's smoke, there's fire. There is not one person I know who is in favor of it, that I know of. I have not seen very many people on social media that are outspoken in favor of it, sans the politicians or people tied to politicians. Something is amiss here.....The politicians have pissed in their cheerios with the teachers and many others. Even the majority of private school parents are against it, and people are saying that is who it benefits the most.
If lobbyists couldn't pay pols no one would run for office. It's like their 13th check. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
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