Under the radar, lobbyists are key dealmakers

The lobbyists of Smith Hill aren’t hard to find. They clog State House hallways, chatting among the great marble pillars. They line the walls of finance committee rooms. And they swarm the floors of the House and Senate chambers before and after sessions.

A tight-knit fraternity of mostly middle-age men, they have worked with Rhode Island lawmakers for decades. Many are former elected officials with family connections to state government that span generations. They are former majority leaders and lieutenant governors, legislative aides and chiefs of staff.

This week, as legislators move into final negotiations on the fiscal 2008 budget, the lobbyists will play a key role. They work behind the scenes to ensure their clients’ interests aren’t forgotten. And they are effective.

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