Lobbyist 101

In light of the recent furor over House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's woes with lobbyists and efforts to amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to tighten restrictions, we?re taking a look at what's going on at both the national level and here in New Hampshire. We?ll find out what the laws are, how lobbyists interact with the legislature and how it?s different here with our citizen legislature. We?ll also get down to brass tacks and explain what a lobbyist is, what they do and why they are often viewed unfavorably by the general public. Kevin's guests are Ronald Shaiko, Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College and Director of Dartmouth's Washington Program. Shaiko also is founder of the Lobbying Institute at American University in Washington (now called the Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute)and was Director from 1992-1997. He is the author of several books, including his newest, ?The Art and Craft of Lobbying: Political Engagement in American Politics?, set for release this year. Kevin's other guest is Erik Taylor, Director of Public Affairs for Gallagher, Callahan and Gartrell in Concord who specializes in public affairs and media relations and is also President of Elevare Communications, a company that provides consulting and polling services. His past experience includes public relations in Washington, D.C., work on state and federal political campaigns and journalist for two New Hampshire newspapers.