Open in TheBrain

US Consumer Coalition

<p><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/cfpb-us-consumer-coalition-brian-wise-elizabeth-warren">http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/cfpb-us-consumer-coalition-brian-wise-elizabeth-warren</a></p>

<p>

Based off its name alone, the<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://usconsumers.org/" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">US Consumer Coalition</a>—<a href="http://usconsumers.org/mission/" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">which bills itself</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>as a "grassroots organization" that exists to "build bridges, ensure public awareness and mobilize the powerful voices of consumers and business owners to protect our freedom of choice"—sounds like the sort of outfit you'd expect to find sticking up for the little guy.</p>

<p>

Yet last month, Brian Wise, one of the group's founders,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/229665-taming-the-cfpb-presents-opportunity-for-new-congress" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">penned an op-ed in the<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><em>Hill</em></a>attacking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the consumer protection agency that came into existence in 2011 thanks to Elizabeth Warren. The CFPB crafts financial rules to protect ordinary consumers—making mortgage applications simple, preventing banks from hiding fees and charges, and cracking down on payday lenders. But since the US Consumer Coalition launched early last year, it has been on a mission to bring down the bureau—which it has<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/USConsumers/posts/1412929445636452" target="_blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">called</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>"America's most dangerous federal agency"—and other financial regulators.</p>

<p>

Conservative media outlets<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2014/06/19/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-grants-itself-authority-to-shut-down-any-business-n1853590" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">regularly</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/01/17/subcommittee-chairman-sean-duffy-confirms-congressional-hearings-will-be-held-on-operation-choke-point/" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">turn</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>to Wise, who has<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://usconsumers.org/news/cfpbconsumerspying/" target="blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">accused</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>the CFPB of being a spying agency akin to the NSA, for quotes attacking&nbsp;Warren's agency and financial reform from the consumer's perspective, touting him as someone who represents consumer interests. But the US Consumer Coalition—which other consumer groups told me they had never heard of—is run and staffed entirely<strong><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></strong>by a Virginia public relations firm stuffed with ex-GOP operatives. In fact, Wise tells<em>Mother Jones</em><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>a group of donors—he won't say who—came to him last year and "hired" his firm,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://wisepa.com/" target="blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wise Public Affairs</a>, to set up the Consumer Coalition, which shares staff with his firm.</p>

<p>

"This is sort of the new pro-choice movement, if you will," Wise says. But he has an<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=68097138&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=xWLK&locale=en_US&srchid=407929421424294580901&srchindex=5&srchtotal=7&trk=vsrp_people_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A407929421424294580901%2CVSRPtargetId%3A68097138%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">unusual résumé</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>for someone who supposedly represents the interests of consumers. Before he became a consumer advocate, the press<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/gop-super-pacs-tea-party-99583.html" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">often described Wise</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>as a Republican political consultant. His LinkedIn page describes expertise in "developing and executing public policy campaigns and corporate image campaigns through the use of non-profit organizations, grassroots mobilization, and strategic communication strategies."

Wise's colleagues at his PR firm now do double duty at the Consumer Coalition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>

The <a href="http://usconsumers.org/news/fdic-letter-spell-end-operation-choke-point/" target="blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">press contact</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>for the Consumer Coalition, Rob Damschen, lists Wise Public Affairs as his primary employer<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robdamschen" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">on LinkedIn</a>. In May, Sarah Mankin, a vice president at Wise Public Affairs,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=0AEC561B-20F8-43A0-A751-1B0FCACC853A&filingTypeID=1" target="blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">registered</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>with Congress as a lobbyist on behalf of the US Consumer Coalition. She came to the Wise Public Affairs<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/sarah-e-makin/1/baa/717" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">after working</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>as director of conservative coalitions and state outreach for the <b>Republican Study Committee.</b> And Laura Kreehner Rigas, Wise Public Affairs' vice president of strategic communications,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.politico.com/politicoinfluence/0214/politicoinfluence12925.html" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">joined the group</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>after working as communications director for the American Conservative Union and various communications roles in the Bush White House. She's been<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://usconsumers.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TomKat-letter.pdf" target="_blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">listed</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>as a media contact for the Consumer Coalition in the past.

In some sense, Wise's employees' deep involvement in the Consumer Coalition's work is no surprise: Setting up groups like the Consumer Coalition seems to be a big part of what Wise Public Affairs offers its customers. "Whether you partner with existing organizations or create new nonprofits to show support for your issue, we can develop, manage and execute a campaign that will produce results,"<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WisePublicAffairs/posts/516955665038674" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">a July 2013 post to the firm's Facebook page promised</a>. "Let's start the conversation about how we can support your policy campaign." On its website, <b>Wise Public Affairs touts an "Advocate Boot Camp" that</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"><b>&nbsp;</b></span><a href="http://wisepa.com/service-offerings/advocate-boot-camp/" target="_blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>trains</b></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"><b>&nbsp;</b></span><b>corporate "employees, supporters, or stakeholders to become effective grassroots advocates,"</b> and highlights how companies can&nbsp;"save money on expensive lobbying efforts by giving your people the tools to lobby directly at the grassroots level where they have more credibility and can more effectively advocate for your cause." Another Facebook post from Wise Public Affairs<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WisePublicAffairs/posts/375952152472360" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">specifically pitches</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>financial-services companies, warning that "this election season poses special problems for many interest groups."</p>

<p>

The Consumer Coalition's top issues, Wise says, are reforming the CFPB to weaken its power;<span class="Apple-converted-space"><b>&nbsp;</b></span><a href="http://www.saveuber.com/" target="_blank" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>"saving" Uber</b></a><b>,</b> the popular ride-dispatching app; and attacking<span class="Apple-converted-space"><b>&nbsp;</b></span><a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/06/benghazi-gun-scandal-issa-operation-choke-point" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Operation Chokepoint</b></a><b>, a Department of Justice program intended to force banks to close accounts of businesses they suspect of committing fraud.</b> In June, the Consumer Coalition<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.politico.com/huddle/0514/huddle13960.html" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">announced</a><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>plans to run a $3 million to $5 million campaign to tear apart Operation Chokepoint, including $1 million in paid ads. Last summer, the group hired Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the House, as a<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/07/24/newt-gingrich-fights-operation-choke-hold-in-paid-role/" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">paid adviser</a>; he now gives closed-door speeches at DC steakhouses attacking Operation Chokepoint.</p>

<p>

But the Consumer Coalition's interests don't make it any easier to decipher who's funding it. Wise—who admitted that corporate donors and "people who have interest in the industries" backed the group—denied that "any financial institution" was involved in paying its bills. Uber isn't funding it either, he says. The porn industry and the NRA, which have both been critical of Operation Chokepoint, haven't chipped in, either, according to Wise.</p>

<p>

The group's true funders may never be known. As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, the Consumer Coalition is permanently exempt from revealing its donors.</p>

<p>

==</p>

<p>

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">Official PAC Name:</span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">RECLAIMING FREEDOM PAC<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">Location: ARLINGTON, VA 22210&nbsp;</span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">Industry:<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/industry.php?txt=Q01&cycle=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: transparent;">Republican/Conservative</a><span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">&nbsp;</span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">Treasurer: WISE, BRIAN J.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">FEC Committee ID: C00521427&nbsp;</span><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" />

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">(Look up<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></span><a href="http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00521427" target="_blank" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: transparent;">actual documents filed</a><span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>at the FEC)</span>

<span style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<table class="datadisplay" style=" border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1em; padding: 0px; width: 630px; color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);"><tbody>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">HARRIS MEDIA LLC

AUSTIN, TX 78704</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">03/17/14</td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$3,850</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">GOBER HILGERS PLLC

DALLAS, TX 75201</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">&nbsp;</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">03/19/14</td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$3,46</td>

</tr>

</tbody></table>

<p style=" margin: 0.8em 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 25px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;

==</p>

<table class="datadisplay" style=" border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1em; padding: 0px; width: 630px; color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);"><thead>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<th style=" padding: 3px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Rank</th>

<th style=" padding: 3px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Vendor/Recipient</th>

<th style=" padding: 3px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Total Expenditures</th>

</tr>

</thead><tbody>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">1</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Gober+Hilgers+Pllc" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Gober Hilgers Pllc</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$9,580</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">2</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Harris+Media" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Harris Media</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$5,850</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">3</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Law+Office+of+Michael+R+Davis" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Law Office of Michael R Davis</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$1,975</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">4</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Craft+Dc" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Craft Dc</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$1,000</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">5</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Pass%2C+Amy" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Pass, Amy</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$350</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">6</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Regus+Management+Group" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Regus Management Group</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$124</td>

</tr>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<td class="center" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">7</td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/expends/vendor.php?year=2014&vendor=Wells+Fargo" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Wells Fargo</a></td>

<td class="number" style=" padding: 5px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;">$14</td>

</tr>

</tbody></table>

<p style=" margin: 0.8em 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 25px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;

--</p>

<table class="datadisplay" id="lobbyist_summary" style=" border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; margin: 40px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; width: 630px; color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);"><thead>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(240, 243, 246);">

<th class="data" style=" padding: 3px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Lobbying Firm</th>

<th class="data" style=" padding: 3px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Client</th>

</tr>

</thead><tbody>

<tr style=" background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);">

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/firmsum.php?id=D000032631&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Cjr Group</a></td>

<td style=" padding: 5px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000047682&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Bellefaire JCB</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000049152&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">City of Shaker Heights, OH</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000051480&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Greater Cleveland Partnership</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000042687&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Jo-Ann Stores</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000028408&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">PolyOne Corp</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000022229&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">RPM International</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000000881&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Time Warner Cable</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000057976&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">University Hospitals Health System</a>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000046055&year=2014" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; background: transparent;">Western Reserve Land Conservancy</a></td>

</tr>

</tbody></table>

<p style=" margin: 0.8em 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 25px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;

==

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000047682&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Bellefaire JCB</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000049152&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">City of Shaker Heights, OH</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000051480&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Greater Cleveland Partnership</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000042687&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Jo-Ann Stores</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000028408&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">PolyOne Corp</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000022229&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">RPM International</a> &nbsp;chemical lobby&nbsp;

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000022229&year=2012<br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000029207&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Steris Corp</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000000881&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Time Warner Cable</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000057976&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">University Hospitals Health System</a><br style=" color: rgb(33, 43, 74); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(224, 230, 236);" />

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000046055&year=2012" style=" color: rgb(62, 114, 181); text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background: rgb(224, 230, 236);">Western Reserve Land Conservancy</a>

==</p>