Avella Bill Would Force Former Lobbyists to Wait Two Years Before Running for Office

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, has proposed a bill that would force former registered lobbyists to wait two years after leaving their profession before running for public office.

Under Avella’s bill, a lobbyist would not be able to run for any municipal or statewide elective office for a period of two years after termination of their service as a registered lobbyist.

“If elected officials and their staff are prohibited from working as registered lobbyists for a period of time after their term or employment has ended, why isn’t the reverse true?” Avella said. “Registered lobbyists who go directly from lobbying to running for elected office could have a distinct and unequal advantage when it comes to influence, access and money, among other things.”

The senator said the bill’s aim would be to eliminate the appearance of impropriety given the close relationship between lobbyists from former firms who continue to act as registered lobbyists and potentially newly elected officials.