A proposed change in Madison’s lobby laws has created tension between city government and the rights of small businesses.

The current law exempts all business representatives who speak with an alderperson from formally registering as a lobbyist. The proposal was made to remove this exemption and, consequently, the final decision will influence the amount of information available to the public.

“In general the crux of the issue here is how to balance — specifically the small business’ right to contact their alder and city government without having to register as a lobbyist, with the public’s right to know,” Mayor Dave Cieslewicz’s Chief of Staff Janet Piraino said.

Piraino said under the current ordinance, large businesses have been able to use the exemption as a loophole.

“There are too many big fish who we’re not catching,” Piraino said. “In general, the mayor’s goal is to catch the big fish without entangling the small businesses.”

Piraino said Cieslewicz looks favorably upon the limitation of “major players” with a “di minimus exemption,” in which businesses owners would be allowed to contact alders and city officials a set number of times per year without having to register as a lobbyist.
Another suggestion would put a $500 cap on the amount spent on formal lobbying.

But some small businesspeople, such as John Williamson, owner of Sports World, 510 State St., are unhappy with the proposed change altogether.

“For a small business person to have to register and go through all of the procedures in order to talk to [City Council members] — it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Williamson said.

Williamson said he is frustrated with the $500 cap proposal because small businesses do not have the money to spend on formal lobbying. For Williamson, this action is a limitation on his right to contact alderpersons, who he currently has excellent rapport with, he added.

“I talk to [my alders] on a regular basis … The proposed change would make it difficult to do that which would strain the relationship,” Williamson said.

Consequently, Williamson said the enforcement of small business lobby registration would undermine the effectiveness of the process altogether.

“You’re going to spend more time going through procedure than you are actually trying to contact and get something done,” Williamson said, adding “a small businessman should have open access to the city.”

Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Alexander said the proposal would stifle free speech of small business.

The Chamber of Commerce Tuesday added an amendment to the proposal, which includes enforcement of the “di minimus exemption” and education of the lobbying community.

“We don’t want a chilling effect for small businesses … we want them to have active involvement with government,” Alexander said.