The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and its partners were successful last night in gaining the council’s approval of a fair and workable lobbying ordinance. With a vote of 15-4, a new lobbying ordinance was passed into law by the Madison Common Council. After months of hard work on this issue, the ordinance that passed was supported and endorsed by the GMCC and will have minimal impact on the business community’s access to local government. Thanks to all of our partners that worked so hard over the past months: Downtown Madison, Inc., the Small Business Advisory Council, Smart Growth Madison, and the Realtors Association.
This compromise ordinance creates wide-reaching exemptions for Madison business owners and employees, allowing them expanded access to local government officials. It allows business owners and employees to speak with city officials about their needs and concerns without the burden of going through a registration process. We believe that this ordinance will promote open government and encourage civic involvement and participation in the public process.
Voting in favor of the compromise ordinance were: Alders Sanborn, Cnare, Verveer, Brandon, Skidmore, Gruber, Olson, Knox, Bruer, Palm, Compton, Rosas, Van Rooy, Radomski, and Thomas. Voting against this compromise were: Alders Konkel, King, Benford, and Webber. Alder Golden was absent.
Thanks to all of you that attended public meetings, wrote letters, and talked to your elected officials, helping us fight for business rights to open access to government. Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
Thank You,
Jennifer Alexander
President, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce