We’ve noticed these “Bring RAP Back!” banners displayed at several elementary schools. This one is on the fence in front of Kaaawa Elementary.
RAP refers to the Read Aloud Program operated by Read Aloud America, a successful Hawaii-based nonprofit that’s been around since 1995.
In recent years, it’s funding has come almost entirely from the State of Hawaii, receiving over $1 million a year during recent years. But budget cuts have slashed its state funds, along with those of other social service agencies.
The message on the sign: “Email, write, or call local, state, & federal legislators to help.”
My questions: Does this constitute lobbying?
This banner encourages people to support state grants or contracts for this one agency. It isn’t a general message, something like, “Reading is important, do your part.” Instead, it is a very specific plea to benefit a specific agency.
That message appears to meets the definition of lobbying. Here’s what the state lobbyist law says:
“Lobbying” means communicating directly or through an agent, or soliciting others to communicate, with any official in the legislative or executive branch, for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or a ballot issue. [emphasis added]
And anyone who is paid for their lobbying and spends either five hours in any month, or $750 in any reporting period (which can be as long as eight months) is considered a lobbyist and has to register. If there are more than a couple of banners, the $750 threshold could easily have been exceeded.
A quick check shows Read Aloud America does not have a lobbyist registered with the State Ethics Commission and has not reported its lobbying expenditures. But whether or not they actually crossed the time/expense threshold and should have been registered is very difficult to determine.
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I wish we could bring Rap Replinger back.
Wendell’s foot long laulaus always made me laugh so hard I cried.
Hehe. I know a bunch of folks who are still trying to sound out all the words on that banner.
It’s a good program, but do people need an organization to make them gather in one place six time each school term to read to children? Will they not do it on their own, at home? Why does that cost $1 million? Where, exactly, does the money go?
Just playing the devil’s advocate here. I’m generally in favor of anything that gets people to read more. There are definitely worse expenditures of state (tax) money out there.
I can remember the “thank you Rod Tam sign” on the Liliha Library that some strange bird made them take down — yep, this is political advertising whether it is for a good cause or not — most people don’t get it — however, maybe some strange bird will call them on it — as it a good lesson for people feeding off the public trough to follow the rules
SO:
Does this ALSO mean that Google/WIKIPEDIA is in violation of HI State Lobbying laws for disrupting service in Hawaii to get citizens to contact legislators, or are they immuned because they are in an “ethereal” position? They spent more than 5 hrs, and IF they were PAID BY ADVERTISERS on Hawaii websites, does THIS consitute “Internet Lobbying”?