The True Purpose of Lobbyist Disclosure

I have recently learned the true motives behind Pennsylvania’s recent lobbyist disclosure law — as I, and everyone else on staff who registered with the state as a lobbyist has gotten a slew of recent emails inviting us to fundraisers (see below). 

By forcing lobbyists to register, with mailing and email addresses, lawmakers have a ready-made list of individuals who would love to give to political campaigns (except of course, for those of us who aren’t true lobbyists, but who register out of fear of prosecution, and will report such emails as spam).

From: Representative Eddie Day Pashinski [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 5:07 PM
To: Nathan A. Benefield
Subject: Rep. Pashinski’s District Fundraiser

From: Representative Deberah Kula [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 3:48 PM
To: Nathan A. Benefield
Subject: Rep. Kula’s Cocktail Fundraiser

From: Representative Tom Houghton [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:08 PM
To: Nathan A. Benefield
Subject: Rep. Houghton’s Breakfast Fundraiser

From: Representative Gary Haluska [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 1:02 PM
To: Nathan A. Benefield
Subject: Rep. Haluska’s Lunch Fundraiser

From: Representative Matt Smith [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 12:40 PM
To: Nathan A. Benefield
Subject: Rep. Matt Smith’s Breakfast Fundraiser