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Groton Daily Independent
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 ~ Vol. 25 - No. 223 ~ 48 of 52
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SWEET SUCCESS
The lobbying group that represents “Big Candy” interests such as Mars and Hershey’s held two events
at Trump properties in the past two years — at the Doral in Miami in March 2017 and in 2016 at the Trump International Hotel in Washington.
The group appears to have found receptive ears in the administration.
In September, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb proposed delaying Obama-era rules that would have imposed new labeling standards on candy. An of cial at the lobbying group, the National Confectioners As- sociation, wrote Gottlieb a congratulatory letter, saying that the delay to January 2020 would “signi cantly reduce the burden” on the industry.
Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the group, said the Miami event was booked in 2014, a year before Trump entered the presidential race, and the Washington event in 2015 before Trump became president. He added the group’s use of Trump properties was based on its event needs only, adding that its choice of venues is “completely unrelated to our advocacy efforts.”
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TITLE INSURERS
A trade association for the title insurance industry has spent more than half a million dollars each year
over a decade lobbying Congress and the White House. But never before has it had the opportunity to host an event at a property owned by a U.S. president.
In October, the American Land Title Association held a three-day annual conference at Trump National Doral Miami, with rooms advertised to members at the rate of $279 a night.
Two months later, ALTA wrote about a “signi cant victory” on its blog. The insurers sell more policies when people buy and sell more homes, but the initial versions of both the Senate and House versions of the tax overhaul would have hurt business by forcing home sellers to hold on to properties longer to claim tax-free capital gains on sales.
The nal law cut out those restrictions. Meanwhile, Trump said last month that he would look into another priority for the group, loosening rules on consumer lending.
Representatives for ALTA did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
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TRAIN TRAINING
What do rules about training programs for railroad workers have to do with a dinner of sweet corn
bisque, saffron paella and roasted rock sh accompanied by Trump wine from his Virginia vineyard and Trump Signature coffee?
Well, maybe nothing, but it’s worth watching.
The backstory is that the National Railroad Association doesn’t like a 2008 Transportation Department rule requiring what it considers excessive training for railroad workers. It has spent years trying to repeal it, spending $120,000 last year alone on lobbying on this issue and others.
The Federal Railroad Administration had been authorized by Congress in 2008 to enact training rules, but a nal rule had been repeatedly delayed.
In March 2017, the association held a lavish dinner at the Trump International Hotel Washington down the street from the White House. “I am drinking Trump coffee,” enthused one guest, Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, who posted a photo of the menu on his Instagram account.
The next day U.S. railroad executives and lobbyists fanned out to Capitol of ces for their annual “Railroad Day” lobbying rounds.
In December, the Federal Railroad Administration announced a proposal to delay implementation of its training rules for another year.
The association did not respond to repeated requests for comment. ___
THE POP-IN