01/23/2018

OLA Responds to Negative Remarks Targeting Lobbyists, Advocacy Professionals

The OLA Board of Trustees took action to defend the industry

On the evening of Jan. 22, 2018, Representative Mike Duffey, (R-Worthington) attacked Ohio's lobbying profession by tweeting derogatory comments about government affairs professionals. Based on his remarks, the Ohio Lobbying Association (OLA) inferred that Duffey attempted to insinuate that government affairs professionals do not pay their fair share of taxes in comparison to the taxes paid by working men and women and those paid on college textbooks.

Duffey tweeted: "@phrontpage @JohnKasich Let’s explore this... college tuition is not taxed as a purchase. And books are part of college classes. Why tax books but not tuition? Ohio is in minority of states here. But lobbyists pay no sales tax? And no income tax? ?"

The OLA board remains unclear as to why he, or anyone, would make an unprovoked, public attack on an industry. The Board considered whether the OLA should respond to his comments or just stay out of the discussion. After significant late-night and early morning discussions, the board felt that it should protect the integrity of OLA’s hardworking, tax-paying members.  Therefore, this morning, the board decided to send the following tweet: “Sad to see @mikeduffey attacked the lobbying profession when the sales tax on textbooks has nothing to do with the hardworking people that help to educate government officials on behalf of everyday citizens. Tell him how many taxes you pay when you see him at the Statehouse.”

Duffey responed to OLA's tweet by saying: "@OhioLobby So sensitive. And what I said was true about lobbyists or lawyers, architects, etc. It’s also true that lobbyists who are employees pay higher taxes than their bosses who own the LLC. And that’s not fair either, right? Waiting for agreement..."

After being contacted directly by the organization, Duffey tweeted: "Yesterday, I posted a lobbyist making $250k as LLC would pay $0 state income tax. I posted to highlight the burden on college students, not to knock lobbyists as people. There are many fine lobbyists, just as there are a few bad ones. Sorry if I offended a few of the good ones."

The OLA board's intention was not to engage in any sort of “Twitter War” with the representative or anyone else.  However, it decided to tweet one response and decide on a case-by-case basis whether any further responses are warranted.  The OLA is a professional organization that will work hard to take the “high-road” and does not intend to engage in any efforts other than those that position our industry in the highest regard.