Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune article on county lobbyist reform:
POLITICS
Hillsborough to post paid lobbyists’ visits online
By Mike Salinero | Tribune Staff
Published: October 7, 2015 | Updated: October 7, 2015 at 05:38 PM
TAMPA — Paid lobbyists in Hillsborough County will soon have to register so notice of their visits with county officials can be posted online.
County commissioners voted 7-0 to pass a motion by Chairwoman Sandy Murman aimed at bringing more transparency to lobbying. The vote means the county will set up an Office of Professional Lobbyist Registration in the county attorney’s office.
The county still has to work out some details, for instance how to define a lobbyist and whether to include an educational component so lobbyists understand the new rules.
Murman, a former state legislator, said she wanted lobbyists to have the same level of accountability at the local level as they do in Tallahassee.
“I think we should hold ourselves to the highest standards, and this is part of that,” Murman said.
Currently, lobbyists are supposed to sign a registry in the lobby outside the commissioners’ office in downtown Tampa, but many do not follow that rule. Even if they did, anyone wanting to know who’s lobbying whom would have to travel downtown. Murman resisted suggestions from commissioners Kevin Beckner and Les Miller that the county have everyone who visits commissioners — lobbyists or otherwise — sign the register.
Miller and Beckner said this option is simpler than setting up a professional lobbyists registry in the county attorney’s office.
Murman said she wanted to distinguish paid lobbyists from other people who visit commissioners.
“Volunteers would not be covered,” Murman said. “I just want to give you all assurance we’re not trying to stifle volunteerism out there.”
