Lobbyists Kicked Off Advisory Panels

by: Teddy Goodson

Fri Nov 27, 2009 at 11:20:10 AM EST

"Some folks have developed a comfortable Beltway perch sitting on these boards while at the same time working as lobbyists to influence the government"

The General Services Administration has estimated the number of advisory committees at  915 with over 60,000 members, but no one knows for sure. The committees no doubt seemed like a good idea back in the early 1970's when Congress followed the recommendations of Robert Vastine, a top Republican staffer at the time, and passed the Federal Advisory Committee Act apparently hoping to provide Congress, composed mostly of laymen, with guidance from professionals in dealing with the confusions of modern life. From simple beginnings the advisory committees have turned into what Vastine, now a lobbyist for the Coalition of Service Industries, frankly calls a "bureaucratic labyrinth" inter-twined with every aspect of federal government, including helping to write legislation and regulations or advising on the letting of government contracts.

Look Who McDonnell Puts in Charge of "Policy"

by: Chris Guy

Tue Nov 24, 2009 at 22:34:23 PM EST

According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Mr. Finkbeiner has lobbied on behalf of:

*Cellco Partnership D/b/a Verizon Wireless
*American Manufacturing Company, Inc.
*Tyco Electronics
*Pro-Tax
*Center for Responsible Lending
*Consol Energy Inc.
*Support Kids
*General Motors Company
*Cisco Systems, Inc.
*Waste Management of Virginia, Inc.
*Community Education Centers
*CVS/Caremark RX
*Smithfield Foods, Inc.
*Crown Holdings, Inc.
*Scientific Games
*Verizon Services Corporation
*American Petroleum Institute

Policy? Really Bob?