Many cities are laying off workers and forcing others to take furlough days. They're also trying another way to make ends meet-- hiring a Washington lobbyist.
U.S. Senate records show cities and counties nationwide signed up with lobbying firms during the first three months of this year. They're hoping the lobbyist can get them a bigger piece of Obama's economic stimulus pie. Deer Park-- a northwest suburb with a population of just 3200-- hired a lobbying firm to help it get money for road and drainage projects.
For cash-strapped municipalities, worth the risk?
Check on your community.
