• TECHNOLOGY. Economic Innovation Group, a new advocacy group founded by some of Silicon Valley’s heavyweight investors, is stepping up its lobbying game. The organization formed earlier this year and quickly hired the Washington Tax & Public Policy Group, paying the firm $50,000 in the first three months of 2015. Disclosure forms say lobbyists spoke with legislators about “policy issues related to economic growth and revitalization of distressed communities.” More recent forms show that the group will have an in-house lobbyist: a former aide to then-Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), John Lettieri. The firm also brought on Steptoe & Johnson, where former Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) will serve on its team of outside counsel. Both of the newly posted forms say the advocates will work on “issues relating to taxation and economic development.”
• CAMPAIGN FINANCE. The American Society of Association Executives, a trade group for the leaders of industry organizations, is working to reform an area of campaign finance law. Lobby firm the Brightup Group, led by the former vice president of government relations for the National Roofing Contractors Association will head up the effort. Under the law, trade groups must receive written “prior approval” from corporations that are members of the group before they can solicit donations from employees of that company. Opponents of this provision argue that it violates recent Supreme Court decisions and constrains First Amendment rights.
{mosads}• TRADE. The government of Japan has added another advocacy and law firm to its roster, signing Holland & Knight to help the country in pushing for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive trade deal being negotiated by the Obama administration and 11 other countries, including Japan. The firm “will provide advice regarding issues considered by the US Congress and Executive Branch related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations and assistance with setting meetings with Congress and Administration officials to discuss those issues.” The work, according to documents filed with the Justice Department, is worth $95,000 per year.