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Philadelphia Bar Assn. Withdraws Lobbying Lawsuit Against City of Philadelphia

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(The Philadelphia Board of Ethics, which today agreed to postpone enforcement of a new law regulating lobbyists.  Photo by Mike Dunn)

(The Philadelphia Board of Ethics, which today agreed to postpone enforcement of a new law regulating lobbyists. Photo by Mike Dunn)

Mike Dunn

Reporting Mike Dunn

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia Bar Association has decided to withdraw its lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia — at least for now — over a new law regulating lobbyists.

The Bar Association had gone to court to challenge the city’s lobbying law as too vague, arguing that lawyers, whose typical role is advocacy on behalf of clients, should be exempt.

The Board of Ethics today agreed to delay enforcement of the law, and that in turn prompted Bar chancellor Rudy Garcia to withdraw the suit for now.

“We’re hopeful that all of it can be fixed, and that there won’t be further need for litigation,” he told KYW Newsradio today.  “If it turns out that it’s not all fixed, then we still have the option to refile the suit.”

Garcia says the Bar Association hopes to work with the Ethics Board and City Council to tweak the measure, clarifying the scope of the lobbying activities it means to regulate.

The new law requires lobbyists to register with the city, and to disclose how they have spent money.

Reported by KYW City Hall bureau chief Mike Dunn

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  • sammysamples

    Lobbying is bribing. It shouldn’t be legal. It’s why the gas prices are so high. It’s why bills are passed with earmarks that have nothing to do with the legislation. It’s a disgrace that big business can legally bribe our politicians. Obama said he was going to restrict lobbying but that was probably to get some lobbyists to pay more not to have restrictions. It’s still going strong. These politicians and lobbyists are making fools of us.

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