Local governments hire lobbyists for representation gaps.
BACKGROUND & QUESTION
- Why do localities seek legislative advocacy?
- This paper argues it depends on policy congruence with state representatives.
DATA & METHODOLOGY
Nearly a decade of original panel data from all 50 U.S. states.
Using difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity design.
KEY FINDING
Cities significantly more likely to hire lobbyists when districts elect non-co-partisan representatives.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This evidence supports the idea that local officials purchase advocacy services to bridge multilevel government preference gaps.
