New Lobbying policy ideas

Liberty
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Combat negative lobbying practices to create a more transparent, accountable, and equitable system.

  1. Increase Transparency and Disclosure:

    • Real-Time Reporting: Require lobbyists and politicians to disclose lobbying activities, meetings, and contributions in real-time or within a short window, making it easier for the public to track influences on policy.

    • Disclose Bundling and Super PAC Donors: Enhance transparency around bundled donations and Super PAC contributions to reveal where money is truly coming from.

  2. Set Campaign Finance Limits and Reforms:

    • Limit Super PAC Contributions: Enact laws to cap contributions from Super PACs and other high-influence entities, reducing the power of money in politics.
    • Publicly Funded Campaigns: Implement systems that match small donations with public funds, empowering individual voters and reducing politicians’ reliance on large donors.

  3. Implement a “Cooling-Off” Period for All Former Officials

    • Extend Cooling-Off Periods: Increase the length of time former government officials must wait before becoming lobbyists to prevent immediate, direct influence on former colleagues. Two years is not enough- it should be 5 to 10 years.

    • Broaden Restrictions: Apply cooling-off periods across ALL government roles, especially high-ranking officials, this will prevent an immediate pivot from public service to lobbying.

  4. Ban or Further Limit Gifts and Perks;

    • No-Gift Policies: Enforce strict no-gift policies for lobbyists interacting with politicians, regardless of value, to avoid even minor exchanges that could create a sense of obligation.

    • Tighten Restrictions on “Revolving Door” Perks: Limit access to perks or incentives that might encourage a “revolving door” culture between government and lobbying firms.

  5. Enhance Public Engagement and Education:

    • Public Lobbying Databases: Create easily accessible online databases showing all lobbying activities, contributions, and interactions with politicians, empowering the public to hold officials accountable.

    • Civic Education on Lobbying: Educate the public on the impact of lobbying to encourage a more engaged and informed citizenry that can advocate for positive change.

  6. Restrict Certain Types of Lobbying Activity;

    • Ban Lobbying by Foreign Governments: Prohibit lobbying by foreign governments or representatives to reduce international influence on domestic policy.

    • Limit Influence of Dark Money: Close loopholes allowing for anonymous contributions to advocacy groups that indirectly support candidates or specific policies.

  7. Strengthen Penalties for Unethical Lobbying:

    • Increase Fines and Penalties: Implement stronger penalties for lobbyists and officials caught engaging in unethical practices, including fines, suspensions, or bans from lobbying activities.

    • Independent Oversight Committees: Establish independent bodies to review, investigate, and penalize violations, ensuring accountability without political bias. These seats should be voted on - not appointed.