7 things to know from the 2023 New York City lobbying report

A hefty $130.9 million was spent on outside lobbying in New York City last year – an all-time high and an 8% increase from the $121.1 million in 2022, according to the annual lobbying report from the New York City Clerk’s Office. Both figures are much higher than the 2021 and 2020 lobbying totals, when $106.3 million and $104.2 million were spent, respectively. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the report on lobbying in 2023.

Kasirer’s reign continues 

For the seventh year in a row, Kasirer was the top lobbying firm in 2023 – so much so about 1 in every 7 lobbying dollars went to the firm. Founded by Suri Kasirer over two decades ago, the firm reported $16.8 million in compensation last year – $6 million more than runner-up Bolton-St. Johns. Kasirer had the most clients at 235 and was tied with two other firms for having the most employees.

Biggest single spender

Homeowners for an Affordable New York, a coalition of landlords and groups backed by the Real Estate Board of New York and Rent Stabilization Association, was 2023’s biggest single spender, shelling out $1.1 million to Fontas Advisors. The group’s opposition to “good cause” eviction legislation has stalled the bill in Albany.

Top industries

The real estate industry continued to dominate all other sectors last year, accounting for nearly a third of all lobbying spending. Public interest and nonprofits followed at 18% of lobbying spending, steadily increasing each year since 2020. Technology is also on a slight upswing and ranks in third place at 8% of spending.

Gambling on casinos

Casinos are having a moment as gambling and real estate players fight to woo New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council with various proposals. Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen, owner of the Mets, has launched a sweeping campaign to boost his bid to build a casino in Queens next to Citi Field. Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment and New Green Willets poured a combined $1.5 million into a bevy of lobbying firms last year.

Lobbying Eric

Adams and his City Hall team were the official targets of 9% of lobbying last year, according to the report. In comparison, New York City Council members were the subject of 24% of lobbying and City Council staff was 17%. While that might initially seem low for the mayor, it’s not compared to his predecessor. There’s been a small but noticeable jump in direct lobbying under Adams, a mayor known for centralizing a lot of decisions among his inner circle. While lobbying hovered between 4% and 6% under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, Adams has so far been the subject of 8% and 9% of city lobbying during his first two years in office..

Shifting tides

New York City lobbyist rankings are far from fixed, and being close to the current administration certainly helps. Vito Pitta, a top executive at lobbying firm Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno and Adams’ campaign compliance lawyer, has a long history of lobbying the mayor, which has sparked conflict of interest concerns over his dual role. Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno was the third-ranked lobbying firm in 2023, raking in $6.8 million. From 2020 through 2022, the firm was ranked fifth in the city. On the other hand, Capalino – which had close ties to de Blasio – slipped to fifth place last year after falling from second to third in 2022.

Other ups and downs

Bolton-St. Johns was in second place last year and became only the second firm, other than Kasirer, to break the $10 million compensation threshold since 2020. The Parkside Group also continues to climb up the rankings. Led by CEO Harry Giannoulis and President Evan Stavisky, Parkside finished 2023 in seventh place with $4.25 million. In 2022, Parkside was in ninth place and wasn’t in the Top 10 in 2021, so it’s been a steady ascent for the firm.