A recent article in a local paper referenced the need and value for Taxpayer funded lobbyists.
Should Taxpayer money be used to lobby on behalf of the city government politicians? It appears that more often than not that these lobbyists work AGAINST the interests of Taxpayers.
CTDC members recall in particular how the Taxpayer’s money was used to lobby directly against Taxpayer interests. During our effort to get the Taxpayer Protection Amendment on the ballot, powerful municipal government special interests poured money into lobbyists to defeat the bill to put the amendment on the ballot.
The local politicos appear more interested in using taxpayer funds to fuel lobbyists for “revenue enhancements” and other schemes to get even more Taxpayer money.
Even if all this was not the case, don’t we elect representatives to lobby Tallahassee for our interests? Isn’t that the entire point of having elected representation? Taxpayer’s already pay the salaries of politicians and their staff to speak (in theory) on our behalf.
Of the dozens of high paid political appointees by the mayor, couldn’t a few bother to follow what is going on in Tallahassee or (god forbid) make the two hour trip to Tallahassee to speak to these issues or just make a phone call? After all, this is the job that they are paid for. Perhaps the mayor’s staff is too busy tending to local affairs. Duval County has a delegation of state house and senate representatives that are elected to represent our interests. Why do they need lobbyists influencing their decisions?
It would appear that the city is faced with perpetual budget “gaps” year after year. Isn’t time to start spending hard earned Taxpayer money on the essentials first before worrying about lining the pockets of lobbyists and special interests? Tell the Duval Delegation and the mayor’s staff to start doing their job and do a little homework on what’s going on. Perhaps pick up the phone or make a day trip to Tallahassee once in a while.
Taxpayers already pay through the nose for the salaries of elected officials and their staff, not to mention the cost of funding elections. We have already paid our share for representation of our interests. If politicians are too busy representing special interests instead of constituent interests, it is time for them to go!
Please feel free to leave your comments below and tell us what you think.
