Peoria County has renewed a contract with a D.C. lobbying firm for a period starting January 1, 2010, extending through March 31, 2011. the contract will be payable in equal monthly installments of $7,083.33 annualized to $85,000 including expenses.
At the end of April, 2011, the City of Peoria will equally split costs, however either the lobbyist, City or the County can terminate this agreement with 30 days notice in writing. That is, after April 30, 2011.
From Jan. 1, 2010, the City of Peoria will be an equal recipient of any lobbying results even though they won't be splitting costs until 15 month later. Shortage of money in the city budget??
The lobbying group has already been give partial credit for the landing of a $500,000federal grant for a pennycress bio-diesel plant near Mapleton. However, an article (with Aaron Schock's picture) in the 10/06/09 issue of the JS appears that Representative Schock is taking credit. The JS states that the $40 million dollar plant still needs loan "guarantees" from the State of Illinois.
With 40,000 plus lobbyists roaming Washington, D.C., lobbying for money for special interests, it is little wonder the country is going bankrupt. There are no guarantees that this pennycress plant will break even, let alone, being a moneymaker without continuous state, federal and local subsidies. But you can bet, the private investors will be protected from any major losses.
By who? Guess.
As our Assistant County Administrator told the JS recently that "with all the needs of local governments, we have less buying power", in asking that stimulus allocations be increased.
Where was I on the vote to renew the lobbyist contract? No, it is difficult for me to hear all the complaints of how D.C. is heading the country towards bankruptcy and then having bloated public services lobbying for more money for investors lobbying for more government subsidies.
Makes sense? Probably the reason why this country is in the shape its in.
Not good nor do I believe Obama's and McCain's theories that our economy is "basically sound"?? No, I'm not spreading fear, just asking for more common sense.
1 comment:
I'll tell you who is goign to have to pay for all this crud: The same people who are going to have to pay for all the magic economic development beans we've bought with tax dollars during the past 30 years.
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