Define 'Lobbyist'

Beth Barrett with the Daily News writes that dozens of influential people who represent special interests - including union, business and nonprofit leaders -regularly schmooze city officials with little public scrutiny or accountability, according to a Daily News review of records.

The main crux of the article follows:

And they say that after making good on a campaign promise to ban registered lobbyists from commissions, Villaraigosa has still appointed many people to commissions although they represent a wide range of special interests. "When the mayor said he wouldn't appoint lobbyists to commissions, that's not accurate," said Steve Afriat, a registered lobbyist and president of the Los Angeles Lobbyists and Public Affairs Association, which has championed enacting a broader definition of lobbyist.

"He should have said he wouldn't appoint registered lobbyists - those that play be the rules, (instead) that he'd only appoint lobbyists who fly under the radar."

Well said. The article goes on with all the typical excuses from many of LA's elected pols. However, one bright spot was highlighted at the end:

Brendan Huffman, director of public policy for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, said his organization registers whether it meets the $4,000 quarterly threshold or not.

"We register because it's the right thing to do. We think the public has a right to know who influences public policy."

I guess that would mean their are a few good apples. Too bad they are buried at the bottom of LA's barrel .