MTA ends practice of hiring lobbyists
The Maine Turnpike Authority has canceled its contracts with third-party lobbyists, the latest move in the authority's efforts to realign itself in the wake of government scrutiny.
The authority's board of directors yesterday announced the decision to halt the hiring of outside lobbyists and instead rely on staff members to handle communications with legislators and policymakers, according to a press release. A report issued earlier this year by the Office of Program Evaluation & Government Accountability questioned the quasi-governmental authority's hiring of lobbyists and the costs associated with it, saying the expenses "might be questioned as to their reasonableness, appropriateness or necessity." Other quasi-governmental agencies, like MaineHousing and the Finance Authority of Maine, do not hire outside lobbyists.
The decision ends MTA's contracts with Portland law firm Preti Flaherty and Augusta-based lobbyist Richard Trahey, MTA spokesman Scott Tompkins told the Portland Press Herald. The authority's governmental relations manager, Conrad Welzel, will now handle lobbying and testimony on legislation affecting the authority. Tompkins said the authority spent about $133,000 on lobbying from 2005 to 2009, not $577,000 as OPEGA reported.
It's the third policy change related to expenses MTA has made since its longtime executive director, Paul Violette, stepped down earlier this month amid controversy over MTA's spending. Last week, Interim Executive Director Peter Mills canceled the authority's annual employee recognition banquet, which usually costs from $15,000 to $19,000, to reduce its spending and operate more like a governmental agency. The board also voted to end charitable donations after questions arose about MTA's donation of $27,000 to Maine Preservation while Violette served on that nonprofit's board of trustees. Mills said ending the practice of hiring lobbyists is "another clear signal the Maine Turnpike Authority Board is committed to bringing more transparency and accountability to the agency."
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments