Ga. lobbyist files complaint

A veteran Georgia lobbyist has accused conservative anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist of violating state law by failing to register as a lobbyist.

In an ethics complaint filed with the state ethics commission Tuesday, John “Trip” Martin claims Norquist meets the state’s definition for lobbyist for his work advocating against House Bill 170, a bill that seeks up to $1 billion in new revenue for transportation.

Martin is a longtime lobbyist at the Capitol with an influential list of clients, including the Atlanta Braves, the Georgia Automotive Dealers Association and shipping giant UPS. Many of them favor the transportation initiative, but Martin said his concern is about respect- ing the law that governs his profession.

“I think it is a pretty strong law and people ought to abide by that registration if they are attempting to influence a bill,” he said. “I register and list all my clients and disclose all that I spend.”

Norquist’s group, Americans for Tax Reform, has slammed the transportation bill as a massive tax increase and a broken promise for those lawmakers who signed his group’s pledge never to raise taxes. Along with Norquist, Martin also said in his complaint that Paul Blair, the group’s state affairs manager, should register as a lobbyist.

In his complaint, Martin included a blog post and an essay, both written by Blair, and a story in The AJC’s Political Insider column noting the group’s opposition to the transportation bill.

In a response back to Martin, Cleta Mitchell, an attorney for Americans for Tax Reform, disputed Martin’s claim that Norquist or Blair should register. The blog post is protected under the First Amendment, Mitchell said.

“Under the scenario and interpretation you have outlined, every editorial writer, newspaper columnist, reporter, blogger, author and public policy expert who expresses a view regarding pending legislation must register as a Georgia lobbyist,” she wrote.

She also said the staff time devoted to advocating against the Georgia bill amounted to $40.08 in salary, well below the $250 annual limit that triggers registration under state law.

Martin said he just wants a level playing field and compared lobbyists to gladiators competing for the life or death of a bill.

“What I resent is someone who wants to sit in the stands and be paid to whisper in Caesar’s ear,” he said. “I want that person down on the floor with us.”

Lobbyist registration in Georgia is free, but failure to register carries a fine of up to $2,000 per violation. Once lobbyists are registered in Georgia, they are responsible for abiding by the state’s $75 gift cap and for reporting any spending they do on behalf of a public official.

The state ethics commission acknowledged receipt of the complaint and sent notice to Norquist’s Washington headquarters giving the group 30 days to respond.