New York’s Influential ‘Non-Lobbyists’

In Crain’s, Chris Bragg takes a close look at a growing industry in New York: the “strategic consultant.”

Though they do not register as lobbyists, they “regularly meet with government officials” on behalf of their clients (who sometimes are government officials) and are very well-compensated.

But, they say, they are not required to register and report their activities – as lobbyists are required to – because they “refrain from asking lawmakers to make policy decisions benefiting clients.”

This sounds like the sort of activity that government reformers and advocates for transparency in government should be up in arms about – or at least asking for the government officials involved to provide more information regarding their dealings with these folks.

These “strategic consultants” seem to be drawing some very fine lines on a regular basis. They must be extraordinarily disciplined in order to avoid engaging in any activities that would result in them having to register and report their activities as lobbying.

Perhaps this form of “strategic consulting” should be dubbed “dark lobbying”?