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Profile: Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., Equipment Leasing and Finance Assn

The days of schmoozing with lawmakers are over, says Kenneth Bentsen of the recent ethics reform that has changed the way lobbyists can interact with public officials. And in many ways, he'’s referring to his own career. As president of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, he’'s the de facto chief lobbyist for the $8.5 million revenue trade group. He’'s a former congressman, who left office in 2003 after eight years representing the 25th District in Texas. And he'’s a Democrat, an anomaly among trade groups who looked for leadership with access and connections to Republicans, who held a majority in Congress for nearly a dozen years. Much has changed in… Read More