The recent article about what firms and associations spend to lobby the Postal Service (See Lobbying the Postal Service Is a Multimillion-Dollar Business) has spurred several questions.
Most people think of lobbying as an effort to sway legislators, but it also includes trying to influence the decisions of government agencies. After all, changes in postal regulations or procedures, which are generally not subject to Congressional approval, can benefit or hurt major mailers to the tune of many millions of dollars.
The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 says lobbying can include communication with executive-branch officials that is made on behalf of a client regarding rules, regulations, programs, policies, and the awarding of contracts. It also includes "research and other background work that is intended . . . for use in contacts" with federal officials. It does not include donations to political campaigns or other causes.
Details are sketchy, but much of the money for lobbying the Postal Service apparently went to lawyers. Pitney Bowes, for example, paid high-powered law firm K&L Gates more than $1 million last year for its dealing with the Postal Service (plus another $1 million to lobby the Postal Regulatory Commission).
Showing posts with label Pitney Bowes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pitney Bowes. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Lobbying the Postal Service Is a Multimillion-Dollar Business
Note: Additional information is provided in the June 15 follow-up article, An Explanation of Postal Service Lobbying.
Corporations and associations spent more than $20 million last year to lobby the U.S. Postal Service, according to a government database.
During the past decade, organizations shelled out $283 million to influence the USPS.
But even the lobbying business has hit hard times. The amount spent on lobbying the Postal Service has declined every year since 2005, when the combined tab surpassed $40 million, the Senate's Lobbying Database shows.
Three organizations accounted for more than half the $20.3 million spent on influencing the Postal Service last year. The top spenders were:
1) American Bankers Association: $5.5 million
2) American Express Company: $2.89 million
3) Pitney Bowes: $1.99 million
4) Lorillard Tobacco Company: $1.86 million
5) Retail Industry Leaders Association: $1.23 million
6) (tie) Direct Marketing Association and Newspaper Association of America: $1 million each
8) Disabled American Veterans: $810,000
9) Medco Health Solutions: $470,000
10) National Newspaper Association: $460,000
Other major spenders of note included Printing Industries of America ($394,745), Appleton Inc. ($190,000), American Business Media ($150,000), Greeting Card Association ($120,000), and the National League of Postmasters ($100,000).
Nearly $5.6 million was spent lobbying the Postal Service during the 1st Quarter of this year. Leading the way were Medco Health Solutions ($1.08 million), International Paper ($1 million), and the Air Transport Association of America ($960,000).
Corporations and associations spent more than $20 million last year to lobby the U.S. Postal Service, according to a government database.
During the past decade, organizations shelled out $283 million to influence the USPS.
But even the lobbying business has hit hard times. The amount spent on lobbying the Postal Service has declined every year since 2005, when the combined tab surpassed $40 million, the Senate's Lobbying Database shows.
Three organizations accounted for more than half the $20.3 million spent on influencing the Postal Service last year. The top spenders were:
1) American Bankers Association: $5.5 million
2) American Express Company: $2.89 million
3) Pitney Bowes: $1.99 million
4) Lorillard Tobacco Company: $1.86 million
5) Retail Industry Leaders Association: $1.23 million
6) (tie) Direct Marketing Association and Newspaper Association of America: $1 million each
8) Disabled American Veterans: $810,000
9) Medco Health Solutions: $470,000
10) National Newspaper Association: $460,000
Other major spenders of note included Printing Industries of America ($394,745), Appleton Inc. ($190,000), American Business Media ($150,000), Greeting Card Association ($120,000), and the National League of Postmasters ($100,000).
Nearly $5.6 million was spent lobbying the Postal Service during the 1st Quarter of this year. Leading the way were Medco Health Solutions ($1.08 million), International Paper ($1 million), and the Air Transport Association of America ($960,000).
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