U.S. City Open Data Census
Powered by Open Data Census
A complete suite of lobbying data should include information about registration and activity — who is paying lobbyists and, ideally, how much and where money is spent.
For the purposes of the U.S. City Open Data Census, lobbyist activity data should include structured information from the registration and activity reports that lobbyists are required to file: lobbyist information, client information, and descriptions of lobbying activity. Public access to this data is essential for the public to gain insight into the world of municipal influence.
Note: In some cities lobbyist registration data will be seperate from lobbyist activity data.
(More info)
| Question | Answer | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Openly licensed | No | All information on detroitmi.gov is copyrighted to City of Detroit. |
| Available in bulk | Yes | Links to PDF registration documents available for both Inactive and Active Lobbyists |
| Up-to-date | No | Unclear when page content was created or edited. Most Active Lobbyist registrations seem to be from 2017. |
| Available free online | Yes | Available on City's website (detroitmi.gov), not specifically the open data portal |
| Available free of charge | Yes | |
| In an open format | ||
| findable | 3 | |
| findable_steps | 1. Go to detroitmi.gov; 2. Search "Lobby" in upper right search; 3. Go to registration page | |
| Collected by government | Yes | |
| usability | 2 | |
| collector_name | Office of Detroit City Clerk | |
| characteristics | Lobbyist registration information — including name, contact information, and date of registration, Client information — including name and contact information of the individual or firm paying for the lobbyist’s time | |
| location | https://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/File/Lobbyist-Registr - City of Detroit website "Lobbyist Registration", https://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/File/Inactive-Lobbyis - City of Detroit website list of "Inactive Lobbyists", https://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/File/Active-Lobbyists - City of Detroit website list of "Active Lobbyists" |