What IS A LOBBYIST?

Lobbying, or governmental relations, means communicating with lawmakers with a purpose. This is a necessary activity in any democracy. 

States generally define lobbying as an attempt to influence government action through either written or oral communication.  

  Lobbyists are not simply individuals who engage in lobbying. A legislator gathering support for a bill is not considered a  lobbyist, nor is a constituent making a call or sending an email to a policymaker about a matter of personal  concern.   

 Professional lobbyists are people whose business is to influence legislation, regulation, or other government decisions, actions, or policies on behalf of a group or individual who hires them.