Norm Needleman Asks Lobbyists to Solicit Ads for Senate Democratic PACs.

State Senator Norm Needleman asked lobbyists to solicit their clients to purchase advertisements for three Senate Democratic PACs holding a joint fundraiser Thursday. Needleman is sponsoring the event at the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club. The co-chair of the legislature’s energy and technology committee, Needleman states in a follow-up to his original request to communicator lobbyists that he is not asking them to violate state law by soliciting clients. The plain meaning of Needleman’s message contradicts that claim.

When Needleman’s first appeal for the his event did not elicit the expected avalanche of ads at $250.00 for each PAC, Needleman suggested there had been some confusion. Thus, the request that lobbyists solicit their clients for a trio of checks.

“I am aware that many of you have been asked multiple times to give to these PACs. That is one of the reasons why I am asking for business checks for advertising in the program books, an area that may have been overlooked.” Needleman began his detailed instructions with a claim that he was “humbled by the response I have received to the fundraising event.” Humility is not usually associated with a further twisting of the screws on lobbyists and their clients.

“Particularly for the communicator lobbyists–I am asking you to reach out to each of your clients and have their businesses write 3 business checks at $250 each, one ad for each program book. I believe they are a number of organizations who have not so. While I recognize you cannot directly solicit, you are able to share this information with them,” Needleman continued. The Senate Democrats are taking names.

Asking lobbyists to “reach out to each of your clients and have their businesses write 3 business checks at $250 each” is requesting lobbyists to solicit their clients. Needleman claiming he is not asking lobbyists to solicit does nothing to dilute his specific request that the lobbyists “have [clients’] businesses write 3 business checks….” The Essex Democrat provides specific directions to lobbyists that include soliciting for three $250 checks, one for each Senate Democratic PAC. It is not ambiguous.

The legislature enacted in the aftermath of the Rowland scandals a generous campaign public financing program that has cost taxpayers scores of millions of dollars. Its purpose, sponsors and supporters claimed, was to eliminate in political campaigns the influence of lobbyists and businesses that needed lobbyists. Needleman’s instructions to lobbyists tells them to violate the law. They are not allowed to solicit. Asking lobbyists in a second solicitation for his event to instruct their clients how much they must pay and to whom they must pay it is asking lobbyists to solicit their clients.

Communicator lobbyists know they are not allowed to solicit their clients for campaign fundraising. They also are aware that Needleman is keeping a list of whose clients are giving and whose are not. “I try to operate in a way that ‘makes sense‘ for all involved, hence the program book business advertisement check request.” Some lobbyists may decide that It “makes sense” to risk violating the law rather it does to make Needleman’s list of whose clients did not pony up three $250 checks.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission may want to seek a copy of those advertising books and determine who bought ads, when they paid for them, and who brought the opportunity to give to their attention.

Published October 10, 2022.