Philadelphia Bar Assn. Withdraws Lobbying Lawsuit Against City of Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philadelphia Bar Association has decided to withdraw its lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia -- at least for now -- over a new law regulating lobbyists.
The Bar Association had gone to court to challenge the city's lobbying law as too vague, arguing that lawyers, whose typical role is advocacy on behalf of clients, should be exempt.
The Board of Ethics today agreed to delay enforcement of the law, and that in turn prompted Bar chancellor Rudy Garcia to withdraw the suit for now.
"We're hopeful that all of it can be fixed, and that there won't be further need for litigation," he told KYW Newsradio today. "If it turns out that it's not all fixed, then we still have the option to refile the suit."
Garcia says the Bar Association hopes to work with the Ethics Board and City Council to tweak the measure, clarifying the scope of the lobbying activities it means to regulate.
The new law requires lobbyists to register with the city, and to disclose how they have spent money.
Reported by KYW City Hall bureau chief Mike Dunn
