• AGRICULTURE. Podesta Group has been hired by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. to lobby on “agricultural policies” and “community gardening,” according to lobbying disclosure records. The lawn-care company, which owns brands like Miracle-Gro and Ortho, recently terminated a lobbying contract with Gephardt Group Government Affairs.
• ENVIRONMENT. Patton Boggs has been hired by Wetlands Management to lobby on “issues related to a federal channel improvement project.” The Dallas-based company specializes in wetlands restoration, and will be represented in Washington by Darryl Nirenberg, former chief of staff to the late Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C).
{mosads}• IMMIGRATION. Toronto’s Onex Corp. has signed up with Gephardt Group Government Affairs for lobbying help on “immigration and tax issues.” Former House Democratic leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.) will lobby for the private-equity company, along with Tom O’Donnell, his former chief of staff.
• LABOR. Park Strategies has been hired by the Consortium for Worker Education to lobby on “FEMA funding for a proposal to assist, employ, and re-train workers displaced by Hurricane Sandy.” Lobbyists on the account include former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R-N.Y.) and Christopher D’Amato, former senior counsel to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
• TECHNOLOGY. Three Bridges Advisors Inc. has been contracted by eBay to lobby on “sales tax on internet auctions” issues. The Internet giant will be represented by Niles Godes, former chief of staff for ex-Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.).
The Data Transparency Coalition has turned to Hudson Hollister LLC for lobbying help on “publication of government information” and “adoption and implementation of data standards for government information,” among other issues. The nonprofit coalition “advocates data reform for the U.S. government,” according to its website.
• TRANSPORTATION. The Normandy Group has been hired by the city of Aurora, Colo., to “work with the Federal Aviation Administration and the House and Senate Aviation subcommittees” on an “aerotropolis” at Denver International Airport. Work on the proposed “airport city” will have lobbying support from Louis Dupart, former chief counsel for the House Intelligence Committee, and Krista Stark, once legislative director for Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis).