New fiscal year, same faces representing Philly in Harrisburg and D.C.
Mayor Kenney will be keeping the city’s longtime lobbyist Holly Kinser for another month. He is also keeping one of former Mayor Nutter's federal lobbyists.
Mayor Kenney will be keeping the city's longtime lobbyist Holly Kinser for another month. He is also keeping one of his predecessor's federal lobbyists for a full year.
Kinser's contract was due to end Thursday but given that the mayor's office is still reviewing proposals for new lobbyists in Harrisburg, Kinser was asked Thursday if she would extend her contract another month for $12,000. She agreed.
The mayor's office asked for requests for proposals for a lobbying firm to focus on the city's needs in Harrisburg on April 12. The initial timeline was that the city would select an applicant by June 10 and start work July 1.
Kenney's spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said Thursday that the city is still reviewing the proposals.
"Now is not a great time for transition," Hitt said, referring to the ongoing state budget debate and legislative session.
The contract for Joe Loeper, the city's other lobbyist in Harrisburg, was terminated early on April 30.
On the Washington D.C. side, the city renewed its contract with Borski & Associates for another full year, through June 30, 2017. The contracts for the other two lobbying firms (Gray Global Advisors and Holland & Knight) representing the city in Washington ended Thursday. Hitt said the administration had not yet made decisions on whether to renew those other two firms or put out an RFP for new firms.
Borski's contract for fiscal year 2017 is worth $120,000.
An Inquirer review of city records found that Philadelphia taxpayers paid private lobbyists $482,924 last year - nearly enough pay for three members of Congress. Read that story HERE.
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