Lobbyist hired to advocate for GR in Washington
Despite strong opposition from some city commissioners, the city hired a D.C. lobbyist firm to advocate for federal dollars for Grand Rapids. $69,000 has been earmarked to pay for the service, but will it bring favorable results?
According to excerpts from the story:
Grand Rapids will pay nearly $6,000 a month to a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
The Grand Rapids City Commission last week approved a one-year contract with the Dykema Gossett law firm to provide federal government consulting to the city.
Under the contract, Dykema Gossett, which has offices in Grand Rapids, will lobby Congress to secure additional federal funding for Grand Rapids.
First Ward Commissioner James Jendrasiak and 2nd Ward Commissioner Rick Tormala voted against hiring the law firm.
“I think this is a waste of expenditure by this commission,” Jendrasiak said.
Read the complete story here.
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