 "Photo: http://www.pvsolarsalestraining.com")
The term “lobbyist” has taken quite a beating in recent years, tarnished by tales of high-profile scandals, rampant corruption, and the growing perception that special interest-paid guns are far too close to elected officials. The University of Michigan spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on lobbyists in Lansing and Washington, DC. In an interview with The Michigan Review, Michael Waring, Executive Director of Federal Relations for the University of Michigan and registered lobbyist, explained how UM's operations are nothing shady, and how the university is approaching Congress in the midst of troubling economic times. A UM alum, Waring worked at the National Association of Broadcasters and for Congressman Harold Rodgers (R-KY) before joining UM's lobbying team in 2000.
“Members of Congress are being a little more cautious about what they're supporting in terms of funding for all kinds of things, not just university funding,” noted Waring. Still, he says, UM enjoys close relationships with lawmakers of all stripes, boosted by the fact that seven UM alumni are currently serving in the House of Representatives, including Reps. Tom Price (R-GA), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Fred Upton (R-MI). There are currently no Wolverines seated in the Senate.
UM's official lobbying disclosure form for the first quarter of 2009 shows that UM has been active on a litany of issues, such as the $787 billion stimulus package, various appropriations bills, patent reform legislation, cap-and-trade bills designed to slow climate change, and legislation dealing with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan group that tracks money in politics, UM has spent $565,000 on lobbying expenses in 2009 thus far. In 2008, UM spent a total of $575,000 on lobbying.
The high-profile case of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has made the issue of “earmarks” a mainstay in debates over Washington's perceived lack of fiscal restraint. Earmarks, labeled by opponents as “pork-barrel projects,” are spending items directed at a specific entity or for a specific project. John McCain blasted earmarks during the 2008 presidential campaign, calling them a “gateway drug.” Although many universities rely on earmarks for funding, UM's stance on the practice might please Senator McCain. “We don't do earmarks. That reflects a philosophy that our university has had, particularly our Vice President of Research. Getting earmarks is going to be more and more difficult in the future, particularly when budgets are constrained,” explained Waring.
On divisive issues such as cap-and-trade, UM's lobbyists do not generally take a stance on whether or not bills should become law, but rather what form they should take if they are passed. “We don't get into whether there should be a cap-and-trade system,” Waring added. “Our position was if there are going to be revenues generated, we would hope some of them would go to research and development, because that is going to be a key to solving this global issue.” However, Waring did note that UM's lobbyists advocate for passage of legislation dealing with higher education funding.
When asked about criticism from conservatives and libertarians over the uptick in taxpayer-funded lobbying, Waring stressed the importance of an institution as far-reaching as UM maintaining a visible presence in the political process. “We are a three or four billion dollar enterprise that has an enormous impact on the state…for us not to be involved in the political process would be irresponsible, frankly.”
As Congress continues to debate sweeping changes in health care, energy, and the economy, Waring affirmed that UM will continue to bring its message directly to the doors of lawmakers. “We're going to be reminding them that even in hard times, people need to invest in the future,” but he had no illusions over the fact that nothing is an easy sell when budgets are tight, noting that UM is competing against “thousands of voices all with very good programs.” To roll back lobbying efforts now, says Waring, would be a mistake for UM. “There's a saying in Washington: there are players and there are victims. I don't think we want the University to be the victim of someone else's agenda.”
Be the first to comment on this article!