Coming off the first leg of the electoral season with Primary Day last week, the citizens of Niagara County (and all of New York State) had their first opportunity to select those individuals who would be their voice in government. The lucky few who would advance to the General Election and beyond would be granted the honor of standing up for the citizens in the halls of power. In many cases, they would be paid for the singular distinction of being their representative.
This then begs the question, why does the government pay for lobbyists?
That question looms large in the minds of Niagara County Legislators Dennis F. Virtuoso (6th District) and Jason A. Zona (5th District). On Sept. 4, 2012, the County Legislature voted to approve the renewal of a contract with Capitol Public Strategies, LLC (CPS) for a four-month period from Sept.1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 in order to lobby the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council at a cost of $20,000.
According to their website, Capitol Public Strategies is one of New York's leading government relations, economic development consulting and strategic communications firms with over 100 years of combined experience in government, government relations, economic development and communications.
Half of the cost of the lobbying firm is being reimbursed by the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (NCIDA). That makes sense because, upon a review of CPS’s Six-Month Report for March to August 2012, the lobbyists were taking direction from Samuel M. Ferraro, who is the commissioner of Economic Development and the executive director of the NCIDA.
Which then begs the question, why is there a paid staff to promote economic development in Niagara County government?
According to the authorizing resolution, “the process of securing funding from the U.S. Federal Government and New York State, as well as private sources, can be a difficult and complicated process, and… funding for local projects and grants is often linked to complicated policy matters that require skillful negotiation and advocacy...”
One does not want to impugn the qualifications of the Economic Development Department’s staff, but don’t such statements suggest that the people here in Niagara County are not good enough to do the job? The Six-Month Report features a sample of 23 weekly reports that CPS was required to submit. A leading priority as identified by Commissioner Ferraro was funding for the Niagara Falls Airbase.
Virtuoso identified five key individuals who also were lobbying to save the Airbase, namely House members Hochul, Higgins, Slaughter, and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. When it comes time to air re-election advertisements, it seems unlikely that any of the credit will go to CPS.
In August, it was announced by former Sen. Alphonse D’Amato that CPS was acquired by his consulting firm, Park Strategies, LLC. “We have been known largely as a New York City and Washington firm. This acquisition will give us a broader reach across New York State and, more particularly Upstate New York,” D’Amato said in a press statement at the time. “With today’s announcement and acquisition, Park Strategies is now uniquely positioned in the burgeoning public affairs space. I’m confident that this will only add to the unmatched service and guidance Park provides to its clients.”
Park also has offices in Long Island, Albany, Buffalo and Taiwan, China. The managing director of Park’s Buffalo office is former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, who is expected to take an active role in the CPS engagement with Niagara County. “What we bring to the table with the new firm is Washington opportunities. I think what they [Niagara County] are looking for us to do is to help them in D.C. With the Airbase closing, I believe that is one of the objectives and any other opportunities that might be available to assist Niagara County with federal resources.”
While some find there is a value to the lobbying effort, Mr. Zona remains unconvinced. “Why are we doing it? If they were doing it with private ventures, that’s one thing. We have a county manager with a paid staff who could do this.”
Virtuoso is particularly disturbed by spending public dollars to support lobbying when he is concerned about efforts to potentially close dining sites to save money. Sponsored by the Office of the Aging, dining sites throughout Niagara County are part of the Eat Well…Stay Well Dining Program that offers nutrition education, wellness and recreational programs for senior citizens. “Why are we paying these guys when we are talking about closing nutrition centers? These are the poorest of the poor, the neediest of the neediest.” Zona and Virtuoso are both Democrats. D'Amato and Giambra are Republicans.
The legislators question what the lobbyists have truly accomplished. The Report indicates a number of phone calls and contacts, which anyone should have been able to arrange. CPS met with members of the Western New York State Senate, including George Maziarz on behalf of Niagara County to discuss the county’s economic development policy priorities. They wonder whether Mr. Maziarz really needs a briefing on the county’s priorities.
Legislature Chairman William Ross felt that lobbyists had something unique to offer. “Well, they’re there in Albany, that’s what they’re trained for, they have the contacts in Albany, and we figure those work, so based on that, we did hire them.” Mr. Ross noted that county legislators are part-time, and do not have the opportunity to go to Albany or Washington to personally take on these matters.
He also pointed out that the extension is only until the end of this year. “This is something the Economic Development Committee will evaluate at the end of the year and see if it’s worth it to elicit their help or we could RFP, bring in another lobbyist group. The Legislature might decide not to hire any more lobbyist groups.”
Elections are about choices and the decision of who is the vox populi, the voice of the people. With lobbyists in the picture, perhaps we should be looking for the vox imitor – the voice of the substitute. |