Stimulus Lobbying Disclosure Promise Still Not Fulfilled
• ProPublicaTo curb the lobbying feeding frenzy surrounding the nearly $800 billion stimulus package, in March the Obama administration imposed unprecedented restrictions on lobbyists: All lobbyist communications regarding specific projects were to be submitted in writing, and general conversations between government officials and lobbyists about stimulus policies had to be noted in disclosures posted online. We decided to track this promise with a clock—so far it’s at 94 days and counting—and there is no sign it will be stopping any time soon.
