Lawmaker aims to close lobbyist loophole
From the Deseret News…
A House Democratic leader has introduced a bill that would close a loophole in the new lobbying "cooling off period" law.
Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, the minority assistant whip, said it's wrong that many legislators can skip the current one-year waiting period before they can become a registered lobbyist.
Many legislators thought they had a firm one-year waiting period when they passed a bill in the 2009 Legislature. But after the session ended, they found out that the bill (now a law) said that a legislator could go to work for a business or nonprofit and become a lobbyist right away.
And last summer, former Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, resigned his seat to become the government affairs director for the Utah Education Association, the main teachers' union in Utah. Holdaway did not have to wait a year to lobby his former colleagues, since he went to work for a business or nonprofit.
The new law, apparently, only applies to a former legislator who goes to work as a contract lobbyist — that is, a person who doesn't work for a business, but rather carries individual lobbyist clients under contract.
Moss said it is only right that the one-year "cooling off period" should apply to every legislator/lobbyist.
As of now, a package of GOP-sponsored ethics reform bills does not address the "loophole" in the new lobbyist/former legislator law.
— Bob Bernick Jr.
I would have to agree! Justification for actions due to the position held is somewhat of a Monopoly.
My concern is lobbyists come in many colors. The Church here in SLC seems to have somewhat of
a monopoly on State issues. As individuals they have a right to vote like anyone else, but when they direct
the congregation on which way to go on issues and the pack follows. It seems like a major red flag to me.
The Republican party has held the monopoly in SLC for sometime now, and I see change, which is hopeful,
however awareness of the need for separation of Church and State is imparative.
Thank You for listening to my opinion.
Richard A. Bulger