‘Translating’ Complexity Into Vital, Useable Information
Most people know little more about the business of lobbying than the vague feeling that they’re sup- posed to dislike it. This is no surprise, given that many in the mainstream media think no one should influence government policy except themselves.
For the under-informed among us, James offers not so much a definition of ‘lobbyist’ as we do an analogy: Lobbyists are translators. They gather and cull through what is, in our information age, often an ocean of words and images and concepts. Then they turn it into plain English and present it to lawmakers, who have neither the time nor, too often, the expertise to do it themselves. Lobbyists are information technicians. Translators, of a sort.
Many Georgians realize full well that lobbyists serve as the grease that turns the wheels of proper governance—something invisible that can’t be done without.
But even these informed citizens often fail to realize that lobbyists do this necessary work at no cost to taxpayers. Even if legislative and other government staff had the time and near-universal expertise to gather and present lawmakers the condensed infor- mation they need to make wise policy decisions, this staff work would cost taxpayers a bundle.
Lobbying is all about competence and credibility. The notion that many or most lobbyists are devious and overly manipulative is sheer fantasy. The talk in the corridors is currency at the Gold Dome. If a lobbyist is anything less than professional, it’s known in short order. Such a lobbyist rarely gets another chance.
And then there are the lobbyists who have long since moved on from mere competence. They have attained distinction, or they’re in the process of get- ting there. That’s what James magazine’s annual rat- ing of top lobbyists is all about. There are more quality lobbyists than just those in our listings, but the ones here aren’t just about quality. They’re about excellence.
Congratulations to them all. And to the profession of lobbying.
