And it is important to know that no one is required to join a union, and therefore no one is required to contribute to the political or lobbying program of a union.
Graves, with the Center for Media and Democracy, argues that the leaked video offers an unprecedented peak into how the Council of State Chambers gets state-level leaders on board with that national lobbying program.
Besides, with some Republican leaders so solidly behind the program, many contractors feel that they could better spend their time lobbying for programs with less political support.
When philanthropic dollars are applied to lobbying for programs, they can have an enormous leveraging effect on public dollars.
Ward insists the organization will still offer lobbying education programs and advocate for the profession that, at the national level, has of late witnessed its registered ranks and income dwindle. .
But even if you don't have $25 to spare, there are other steps you can take – such as lobbying for good programs, or for change in bad ones.
No contractor wants to lobby a program where the slightest political misstep could put them at odds with powerful elements in the White House, Congress, the Pentagon or all three.
Among those lobbying for the program on Tuesday was Bonnie S. Frost of Baltimore.
She is a parent and school committee representative for the Boston-Weston METCO Parent Organization, who will be among those lobbying for the program, which allows approximately 3,300 students in Boston and Springfield to attend school in 36 suburban districts.
One House Democratic aide speculated that the lack of lobbying around the program has made it easier for members of Congress to simply defer to their local police on what should happen.
