NCFPC Lobbying Recognized

Special Report - August 1, 2012
For the sixth time, the principal lobbyist for the North Carolina Family Policy Council has been ranked as one of North Carolina’s 50 most influential lobbyists. According to the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research’s rankings of the Most Influential Lobbyists, NCFPC president Bill Brooks ranked as the 36th most influential lobbyist out of 798 registered lobbyists and 99 legislative liaisons for state agencies who lobbied in the North Carolina General Assembly during the 2011-12 session. The North Carolina Family Policy Council is no stranger to the Center’s list of most influential advocates. Lobbyists for the NCFPC have appeared on the top 50 list for six out of the last eight legislative sessions. Bill Brooks was ranked 50th in 1998, 14th in 2000, and 38th in 2002. The Council’s former vice president and director of government relations John Rustin was ranked 50th in 2006 and 33rd in 2008.

The Center conducts the survey every two years and asks N.C. state Senators, Representatives, registered lobbyists (including the lead state agency legislative liaisons) and state capital news correspondents to list the 10 most influential lobbyists in the state legislature. The results of the surveys are then compiled into a listing of those considered to be the “most influential.” The Center says the guide is a tool to “help citizens understand which key interests and organizations have clout with legislators in North Carolina and shed light on what is often an invisible process.” The rankings “also show changes in the lobbying profession and illustrate which issues were the hottest in a particular legislative session.”

“Lobbying is always a team effort, and our recognition in these rankings gives credit to the strong research and policy team at the NCFPC,” said Bill Brooks, president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Our involvement during the past session on issues like the marriage amendment, unborn victims of violence, informed consent for abortion, 'choose life' license plates, state abortion funding, removal of the cap on charter schools, education tax credits, video poker, casino gambling and other high-profile legislative initiatives meant that we were constantly presenting information to legislators. In addition to great research plus the hard work of Jere Royall, who serves as legal counsel for the NCFPC and is an integral member of our lobbying team, this recognition also reflects the involvement of thousands of North Carolinians who support pro-family public policy in our state. Their partnership has enabled the Council to maintain one of the most effective voices at the General Assembly, and we thank our supporters for their continued involvement.”

Related resources:
2011 Legislative Review - FNC - Summer 2011
NCFPC Ranked Among Most Effective - August 26, 2008
NCFPC Rated Among Most Effective Lobbyists - November 15, 2006

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