The deadline for lobbyists to disclose what they spent during the first two months of 2009 arrived this week and McDonalds Corporation did not disclose any of the costs associated with organizing its annual legislative reception.

Its lobbyist expenditure report for the January-February 2009 period was filed with the State Ethics Commission on March 27.

I called attention to the event in entries here on March 10-12, pointing out that the costs were not reported in previous years (you can track back to those entries in the March archive).

This is part of a broader problem of lax enforcement of lobbyist disclosure requirements, or perhaps ineffective requirements. I’m not wholly sure which.

In the case of the Big Mac, I would have expected to see some expenses related to the advanced planning of their legislative reception, held on March 11, in the latest lobbyist report, including payments to Communications Pacific for organizing the event, design and printing costs for the nicely printed invitation, postage, etc.

Even if it were all done in-house rather than by a public relations firm, those expenses, including pro-rated staff time, should have been included.

Remaining expenses would be due to be reported during the next reporting period, which will be after the legislative session is over.

The Ethics Commission has provided specific guidance to legislators about so-called “goodwill lobbying”.

When trade associations and others meet with lobbyists for the purpose of “getting to know” legislators or to develop rapport, this is considered “goodwill lobbying,” and would constitute lobbying under HRS section 97-1, since there is communication for the purpose of lobbying. The fact that specific legislative measures are not discussed does not mean that the meetings are not considered lobbying. If the purpose of the meeting is to develop a relationship with legislators, getting to know legislators, or establishing rapport with legislators, and the trade association, etc., will be lobbying, then such meetings with legislators constitute lobbying in accordance with chapter 97 and must be reported on the appropriate expenditurs report for the appropriate lobbying reporting period.

Perhaps it’s unfair to single out McDonalds because there are probably a lot of other lobbyists who fail to report similar expenses. But the legislative event happens to be quite visible, involves currying favor with staff as well as legislators, includes small gifts as well as food, and is an ongoing event.

I’m not sure just how I feel about this next one. The Hawaii Tourism Authority, a public agency, reports paying $7,500 per month in lobbying fees to Okudara & Associates. What’s that about? To the extent that public agencies have to take part in the legislative process, isn’t that a routine part of the responsibilities of agency administrators? Personally, I don’t think a state agency should be paying $90,000 a year to an outside professional to lobby lawmakers.

Ooops. KITV reported yesterday:

Witnesses identified Pesene as one of the men who shot and killed Joseph Peneueta, 35, on the corner of Pauahi and Richards streets early Saturday morning.

You might suffer a brain sprain trying to visualize the corner of Pauahi and Richards, since the two streets are on opposite sides of downtown.

From Senator Gary Hooser:

If you have not seen it, I encourage you to read the blog post “Save Mine and Plunder Yours” at “O’Ceallaigh and Quilldancer”

This is an excellent and thoughtful but direct and to the point – piece on the state budget and the “not me, not mine” mantra that is resounding through the halls of the capitol.

Finally, unusual weather conditions over the past week created an atmospheric filter that made the morning sun look a lot like the moon rising.

Normally, looking directly at the sun hurts your eyes, but for a couple of days it was a different story. The sun was sharply defined, as if you were looking through a piece of smoked glass. Click on this photo for a larger version.