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For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

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\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo's early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz's lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

Is DoorDash trying to influence New York policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo's early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz's lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

With the seven-figure gift, Fix the City, a pro-Cuomo organization, will have additional resources to back the front-runner before the Democratic primary on June 24, which he is predicted to win by a wide margin. On Monday, the gift will be part of the super PAC's weekly filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is DoorDash trying to influence New York policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo's early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz's lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

It comes after the company's lobbying effort last year, when it revealed that it had spent about $500,000 meeting with politicians and City Hall representatives on a measure that would allow delivery platforms to charge eateries more, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the seven-figure gift, Fix the City, a pro-Cuomo organization, will have additional resources to back the front-runner before the Democratic primary on June 24, which he is predicted to win by a wide margin. On Monday, the gift will be part of the super PAC's weekly filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is DoorDash trying to influence New York policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo's early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz's lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

\n

According to Politico, online meal delivery service DoorDash just made the highest gift in the race, contributing $1 million to the super PAC supporting Democrat Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign in New York City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes after the company's lobbying effort last year, when it revealed that it had spent about $500,000 meeting with politicians and City Hall representatives on a measure that would allow delivery platforms to charge eateries more, among other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the seven-figure gift, Fix the City, a pro-Cuomo organization, will have additional resources to back the front-runner before the Democratic primary on June 24, which he is predicted to win by a wide margin. On Monday, the gift will be part of the super PAC's weekly filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is DoorDash trying to influence New York policy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DoorDash has used a number of organizations, including Actum, which employs former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., a member of the Fix the City board and one of Cuomo's early endorsers, in addition to paying its own employees to lobby. Although Diaz's lobbying filings from his job at Actum are mentioned on DoorDash, he and Actum Partner Michael McKeon stated that the former legislator has never worked for the delivery service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and local authorities control DoorDash on matters such as minimum wage regulations and employee tips. The business has previously hinted that it will support \"pro-local economy\" politicians in the state-level New Jersey elections and the New York City elections this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen a wave of policies emerge from New York City that, while well-intentioned, have often had unintended consequences,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

said John Horton, the company's North American public policy leader in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThese policies have made it harder for local businesses, Dashers, and consumers to thrive. We\u2019re committed to supporting leaders who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation. In New York\u2019s mayoral race, we believe Governor Cuomo represents the kind of leadership that can deliver on those goals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Since its founding in March, Fix the City has received over $8 million, with the majority of that amount coming from pro-Trump individuals and real estate entrepreneurs, such as billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. The organization has also spent over $3 million. Steve Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidant, is in charge of the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe continue to be incredibly encouraged by the outpouring of support for Andrew Cuomo\u2019s candidacy from donors who share our belief that he is the mayor for this moment,\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

super PAC spokesperson Liz Benjamin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super PACs are backing the campaigns of two of Cuomo's opponents, but it is unlikely that they will equal the funds garnered by Fix the City. A super PAC affiliated with<\/a> former New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has not yet disclosed any financing, while a group supporting Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign has acknowledged raising less than $88,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following Cuomo's campaign's use of a legal tactic known as \"redboxing\" to convey his preferred communications plan, POLITICO reported that campaign finance authorities recently cautioned mayoral candidates against collaborating with outside organizations. Last year, the New York City Campaign Finance Board took action to strengthen regulations prohibiting super PACs and campaigns from exchanging messaging. Fix the City and Cuomo's campaign have maintained that they are abiding by the law.<\/p>\n","post_title":"DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo\u2019s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"doordash-invests-1m-in-cuomos-mayoral-run-after-nyc-lobbying-blitz","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-15 13:17:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7778","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7771,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content":"\n

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest in Attorney General Pam Bondi's ties to Qatar. In 2020 and the years leading up to the 2022 World Cup, Bondi earned $115,000 a month as a foreign lobbyist for the country of Qatar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump's next trip to the Middle East, which includes a stop in Qatar, might provide more information or cause more controversy. As the government struggles with legal formalities and public scrutiny over possible foreign influence and ethical bounds, Pam Bondi's previous interactions with Qatar are expected to continue to get attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She represented Qatar's interests before Congress in this capacity. She also held a second lobbying job with Ballard Partners, a firm located in Washington, D.C., where she represented Qatari interests and a number of corporations, including Amazon. In January, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary brought up her connections to Qatar, accusing Bondi of not disclosing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were once again in the spotlight when it was reported that the Qatari government was considering giving the president a jet known as a \"floating palace\" for \"temporary use as Air Force One.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Pam Bondi\u2019s Qatar lobbying pose a conflict?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 that Qatar is planning to give Trump\u2014the so-called \"flying palace\"\u2014has sparked fresh legal questions about the propriety and legitimacy of such foreign government gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns about foreign influence at the highest level of government have been exacerbated by Bondi's previous experience as a lobbyist for Qatar, which he has brought to his position as attorney general. Furthermore, Bondi's links to Qatar create questions about whether she will effectively <\/a>investigate if accepting this jet is lawful, as she is expected to serve as the top legal officer for the United States, not only for the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. and Qatari military ministries are now negotiating the temporary transfer of a 747-8 jet, which is characterized as luxurious and technologically sophisticated, for the president's use. According to NBC News, the U.S. Air Force will pay for the aircraft's transfer and refit when it leaves the presidency, and the aircraft will be turned over to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation by 2029.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to Newsweek on May 11, Qatar's media attach\u00e9 to the United States, Ali Al-Ansari, stated that \"the matter remains under review by the respective legal departments and no decision has been made.\" Bondi and DOJ attorneys argue the deal is lawful if it goes via the Defense Department and avoids bribery and constitutional laws since the gift is not linked to any official conduct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bondi is hardly the only Trump administration official with Middle Eastern business connections. The president's sons currently run the Trump real estate company, which owns and manages buildings and developments in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are critics reacting to Bondi\u2019s past ties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott stated: \"The DOJ memo approving Trump's Qatari jet? Written by Pam Bondi. Her last job? Lobbying for Qatar.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump ally and far-right activist Laura Loomer, using a nickname for Bondi, said: \"Not only will the President of the United States be flying around on a $400 million jet paid for by Qatar, but don't forget, our own US Attorney General Pam Blondi was once a registered foreign lobbyist on behalf of Qatar. Blondi was compensated $115,000 per month by Qatar.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"Lobbyist Bondi\u2019s Qatar ties under review following Trump\u2019s luxury plane donation","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"lobbyist-bondis-qatar-ties-under-review-following-trumps-luxury-plane-donation","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:22:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7771","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7767,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content":"\n

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google <\/a>has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google canceled its last known plan for a data center in Minnesota, a $600 million project in Sherburne County, more than two years prior to this influence effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet giant will not confirm if it is looking to build a new data center in Minnesota. Regarding its interest in the state and the Legislature, Google declined to comment. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said in April that it will invest $75 billion this year in processing power for its artificial intelligence initiatives, but it also aims to increase the capacity of its data centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislators, environmental organizations, and consumer activists have met with Google representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The business is requesting more advantageous tax incentives, according to Preston Republican Rep. Greg Davids, who is also the co-chair of the House taxation committee. According to two DFL members, Google is negotiating on other contentious topics, including plans to control data centers' energy and water usage and require businesses to disclose more details about their business practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davids declared, \"They are in the game.\" Additionally, Google's demand coincides with a critical juncture for the state's data center regulations. Legislators are considering a collection of bills that would establish guidelines for what is effectively a brand-new sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state does have several modest data centers, but none of the size that IT corporations are interested in. The parent company of Facebook is constructing a data center near Rosemount, and at least ten more have been suggested by developers. Additionally, a large number of such developers are pressuring the legislature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For its planned Becker data center, Amazon wants to relax some environmental restrictions on backup diesel generators. Meta Platforms, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and other developers are represented by the trade group Data Center Coalition, which has openly sought<\/a> to increase and improve tax breaks for these initiatives. However, some DFLers want to impose additional regulations on a sector they believe would jeopardize state climate objectives, use excessive amounts of water, and operate in excessive secrecy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest tech firms in the world is Alphabet Inc. It has plans to construct data centers throughout the world to assist its artificial intelligence goals, joining competitors like Amazon. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and other services, a Google employee informed the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in October that the company's energy use has increased fivefold between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By employing Michael Noble, a former head of the well-known climate advocacy charity Fresh Energy and a supporter of Governor Tim Walz, Google strengthened its lobbying position in the Legislature. Google, like the other data center corporations, wants to change the incentives to make equipment purchase refunds an upfront exemption and extend Minnesota's substantial sales tax discounts for data centers, according to Davids.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota\u2019s debate on data center tax incentives","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"google-increases-lobbying-amid-minnesotas-debate-on-data-center-tax-incentives","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-13 18:17:18","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7767","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7753,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content":"\n

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks on higher education, a few of the country's smaller liberal arts colleges are employing lobbyists <\/a>from Washington for the first time. College presidents have always had a major role in handling government relations, but according to lobbying disclosures, at least five of the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News & World Report have recently hired lobbyists for the first time in their history: Williams College, Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and Washington and Lee University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Steven Bloom, assistant vice president for government affairs at the American Council on Education, \"some institutions have decided that because of the risk, they feel like they need to hire some outside expertise to bolster what they've already been doing.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis-Burke Associates for Williams College, theGroup DC for Pomona College, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck for Davidson College are among the firms that were recruited to advocate on education-related matters for those five institutions. According to disclosure forms, Holland & Knight earned $80,000 in the first quarter from Washington and Lee University and Claremont McKenna College, the greatest payout of any company employed by the five institutions. Requests for response from the lobbying companies were either denied or not answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concern over an enlarged endowment tax, the 1.4 percent levy on university investment income that was originally implemented in 2017 to help offset Trump's larger package of tax cuts, is reportedly a major driver behind the K Street appointments, according to disclosure filings and people familiar with the situation. Depending on endowment size and student enrollment, the number of colleges that pay the tax varies annually. According to IRS data, just 56 schools generated $381 million in 2023 by paying the tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way the tax is applied allows universities with large enrollments to be exempt, while smaller schools with relatively modest endowments but much smaller student populations must pay. This is because the tax is only applied to schools with more than 500 paying students and an endowment valued at more than $500,000 per student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to four persons who were given anonymity to discuss the GOP tax proposal, House Republicans are thinking of significantly raising taxes on college and university endowments, with some paying exponentially higher tax rates based on a sliding scale of wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to two people with knowledge of the group, who were asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak on its behalf, about 30 schools, including some small schools that recently hired their own lobbyists, are worried about the tax changes and have formed a consortium to coordinate their approach. The establishment of an organization devoted to this topic was prompted by the fact that schools subject to the levy vary in size and do not neatly fit into existing higher education trade groups, according to the persons. The consortium chose not to respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One objective is evident for several of the tiny liberal arts colleges that are employing their own lobbying firms: to set themselves apart from Columbia. The levy is not currently paid by Columbia University, which has been under fire from Republicans for how it handled the pro-Palestine student demonstrations last year. According to two sources who were given anonymity to discuss the continuing negotiations, part of the motivation for the present modifications is a desire to modify the tax criteria to suit Columbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the source, Lee University, one of the universities that has engaged an outside lobbyist for the first time, and Washington did not have student encampments similar to those at Columbia during the demonstrations last year, and they are highlighting<\/a> this difference to lawmakers. The tax is now applied to Washington & Lee, which has an endowment of around $2 billion.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"small-liberal-arts-colleges-turn-to-lobbyists-as-gop-eyes-hike-in-endowment-tax","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-12 22:29:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7753","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7921,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_date_gmt":"2025-05-11 20:59:32","post_content":"\n

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms in Washington, D.C., are reporting an increase in lobbying expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. law firm Akin, lobbying income reached its highest level ever in the first quarter of 2025. It generated $16.4 million, up 18.75% from 2024's first quarter. Ballard Partners had a successful first quarter as well. Politico Influence reports that the lobbying company earned $14 million, a 225% increase from the first quarter of 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pam Bondi, who formerly employed at the Tallahassee-based business before to being appointed U.S. attorney general, is one of Ballard's ties to the Trump administration. Trump in 2016 was among the Republican candidates for whom Ballard's president has been a leading Florida fundraiser. Disclosures reveal that during the first quarter, Ballard Partners received $100,000 from each of two prominent law firms, Kirkland & Ellis and Simpson Thacher, to lobby on issues pertaining to employment practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nine well-known companies, including Kirkland and Simpson Thacher, canceled agreements with the White House in order to avoid being subject to an executive order that aimed to restrict corporate activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, Ballard was also appointed to represent the Harvard <\/a>Corporation, the governing body of Harvard University. Since taking office, Trump has taken harsh measures against prominent American institutions, accusing them of failing to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year and allowing antisemitism to flourish on campus. This week, Harvard filed a lawsuit to<\/a> stop the White House from suspending government funds totaling billions of dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another legal firm with a well-known lobbying practice, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, reported that its first-quarter business was fueled in part by customers in higher education. In the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded earnings of $16.8 million, a 3.5% rise over the same period the previous year. Disclosure reports indicate that the firm represents DePaul University and the University of Colorado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the quarter, two other companies, BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs, also recorded year-over-year gains. Cornerstone reported $13.6 million in sales, while BGR Group claimed $14.6 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another American legal firm that engages in lobbying, Holland & Knight, reported $13 million in lobbying income for the first quarter of 2025, a 5.4% rise over the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The non-profit organization OpenSecrets, which gathers lobbying data, reports that since 2016, businesses, trade associations, and other organizations have consistently increased their lobbying expenditures. Companies spent over $4.43 billion lobbying government agencies and Congress in 2024.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"corporate-lobbying-hits-new-highs-as-trump-targets-institutions","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_modified_gmt":"2025-05-31 21:03:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7921","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":9},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Lobby Monitor

Lobby Monitor

US nuclear sector ramps up lobbying to protect IRA subsidies

May 25, 2025

Lobby Monitor

Energy lobbyists face setbacks in the house, seek more favorable response in US senate

May 21, 2025

Lobby Monitor

Amazon lobbies against state legislation restricting government deals with Chinese firms

May 20, 2025

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Inside lobbying by Latin American leaders to influence Trump’s White House

May 17, 2025

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Intense lobbying effort aims to preserve Biden’s clean-energy tax credits

May 15, 2025

DoorDash invests $1M in Cuomo’s mayoral run after NYC lobbying blitz

by Research Staff

May 15, 2025

0

According to Politico, online meal delivery service DoorDash just made the highest gift in the race, contributing $1 million to...

Lobbyist Bondi’s Qatar ties under review following Trump’s luxury plane donation

by Research Staff

May 13, 2025

0

Reports that President Donald Trump may receive a luxurious jet as a gift from the Qatari government have renewed interest...

Google increases lobbying amid Minnesota’s debate on data center tax incentives

by Research Staff

May 13, 2025

0

Three Minnesota politicians claim that Google has intensified its lobbying efforts to change data center laws and tax benefits. Google...

Small liberal arts colleges turn to lobbyists as GOP eyes hike in endowment tax

by Research Staff

May 12, 2025

0

In an effort to set themselves apart from the Ivy League institutions at the target of President Donald Trump's attacks...

Corporate lobbying hits new highs as Trump targets institutions

by Research Staff

May 31, 2025

0

As businesses, trade associations, and others negotiate President Donald Trump's second term in office and a Republican-controlled Congress, leading firms...

Page 9 of 22 Previous 1 … 8 9 10 … 22 Next

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