Rocky Mount NC - Rate hike prompts customer outrage ElectriCities' spending on lobbyists raises furor
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 11:18 PM
Posted in ElectriCities
by DCN
So what do you think? Do ElectriCities need to continue to pay these lobbyist?
ElectriCities, the nonprofit group that provides guidance to the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, has five full-time staff positions that focus on lobbying the legislature when it is in session. When session is out, the employees embark upon "grassroots interaction" with city officials. ElectriCities also pays lobbyists $190,000 a year to lobby the N.C. General Assembly on behalf of the power company and $80,000 a year for a federal lobbyist. (Read More)
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Saturday, August 2, 2008 - The facts are wrong!
Mr. D,This article completely leaves out the consultant spending for lobbying which is public information and the people are identified on line.
With all due respect, I just read Mr. Henderson's article about ElectriCities and he is off the mark or ElectriCities provided less than accurate information. ElectriCities' figure of $190,000 and $80,000, if that is what they gave him, cannot possibly be right. Common knowledge.
There are 5 staff people so the salaries there alone would be more than $300,000 + the $80,000 federal lobbyist + at least $200,000 for outside consultant lobbyists (see secretary of state page). So I think he should re-total or re-ask. Common knowledge. Also the lobbyist has been the recipient of double digit increases of more than 15% and 20% in one year, a dramatic spending pattern.
And it is a stretch to say that they need a range of experience and affiliations and are touting their expertise when THREE staff lobbyists have left during the past six months and there has been 80% turnover with the staff lobbyists since 2002. All of that must be considered with costs to this program.
All you have to do is look at the Secretary of State Website to see how many MORE contract lobbyists there are working for ElectriCities as compared to their competitors. So, the conclusion would be it takes 4 times as many lobbyists for 1/10th the customer base when comparing ElectriCities to Progress Energy. That would mean overspending or lack of expertise. I encourage everyone to take a look and I think you will agree, the amount spent is enough to evoke "furor" and is an area prime for a cut.
ElectriCities
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/lobbyists/Principal.aspx?PId=8165545
Progress Energy
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/lobbyists/Principal.aspx?PId=8062251
Rural Electric Cooperatives
http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/lobbyists/Principal.aspx?PId=8062107
Note: This comment was edited only to separate paragraphs. C. Dancy II Editor
Edited by curmilus on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Posted by Anonymous
Saturday, August 2, 2008 - one more thought
This is how ElectriCities plays fast and loose with the TRUTH. Check and see if there isn't a little contract for Mike Colo to do some legislative work which should count in lobbying and if you want, ask for any contracts related to grassroots since they do that in their off time. They are playing fast and loose with the reporter and saying that this is what they "reported" for lobbying. Or they are counting part of the salaries as something other than lobbying, like grassroots. Either way. A spin on words. Get the facts. Continue to provide the information to city councils.Wait until you see how they spin consulting costs in general, double digit salary increases, losing so many lobbyists, annual meeting and all their other little expenditures.
Note: This comment was edited only to separate paragraphs. C. Dancy II Editor
Edited by curmilus on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Posted by Anonymous
Sunday, August 3, 2008 - ElectriCities is infuriating taxpayers with their crimes
http://www.topix.net/forum/city/rocky-mount-nc/T7L7BN018VHDQ6CKK Yeah I'll say people are a little madPosted by Anonymous
Sunday, August 3, 2008 - Ridiuclous costs
. Their lobbyist was part of the group that lobbied for tax increment financing which gave us the illustrious Randy Parton/Ronaoke Rapis Theatre. real important stuff. good job there Electricities. thanks. 2. Since there are 5 staff people there registered as lobbyists and 9 consultants who have to be getting $40,000 contracts, at a minimum, it is a lie to say they spend $270,000. I believe the reports of more like $600,000. Why spin this when you can get caught? Ken Raber's credibility is going down the tube every time he shares the stage with these jokers. 3. I have seen the documents with people getting double digit increases of more than 15% and 20% in one year, a dramatic spending pattern, that adds up costs here. And that is a big problem with the lobbying. 4. There has been turnover of 3 staff lobbyists who left during the past six months and there has been 80% turnover with the staff lobbyists since 2002. All of that must be considered as costs to this program. And I guess that expertise went somewhere too but there was not much concern about it when they were leaving in record numbers. But now there is concern about the "consultants" doing that. 5. Millions and millions are spent on consultants at this place. They could cut $5 million there and never miss it. Most is for pay off of friends. Like, Ken melton, he was on staff for a couple of months, left and is on contract. Explain that. 6. I agree with the assertion that it apparently takes 4 times as many lobbyists for 1/10th the customer base when comparing ElectriCities to Progress Energy. ElectriCities has half a million customers ($1 per customer for Tilton's salary) and Progress Energy has more than 2.5 million. That would mean serious overspending or lack of expertise or ability to get it done and it looks ridiculous especially with this rate increase. Actually I think it means all three. http://bluenc.com/electricities-spinning-fast-and-loose-with-the-truth%3...Posted by Anonymous