It’s a sad state of affairs, though perhaps not a huge surprise, that the most modest efforts to place restraints on lobbyists at the Colorado Capitol are facing roadblocks.
The most common argument for resisting reform seems to be that Colorado is not Washington, D.C., and that our lobbyists are not of the ilk of Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who pleaded guilty in a federal corruption probe.
Colorado is not Washington, but the processes of government present common temptations.
The job of lobbyists is to exert influence, and purse strings are part of the package. Lobbyists spent $22.6 million in Colorado in 2004, the Center for Public Integrity reported.
So we were discouraged when House lawmakers weakened a bill by Rep. Morgan Carroll designed to make the often-mysterious world of lobbying more transparent. The House discarded two critical provisions that we hope the Senate will restore. One would require a one-year cooling off period for lawmakers who become lobbyists. The other would require lobbyists to disclose campaign and other contributions to lawmakers of $100 or more.
Given the long practice of lawmakers becoming lobbyists when they leave office the time-out provision makes sense. There are too many opportunities for abuse of the current system, and the federal approach on slowing down the revolving door makes perfect sense.
Without any restrictions, it’s not far- fetched to consider the possibility that a lawmaker might temper his or her legsislative activities while pondering lucrative future lobbying contracts. “A lawmaker might decide to help a lobbyist out on Bill XYZ in exchange for a job,” said Pete Maysmith, president of Colorado Common Cause. A cooling-off period would reduce the temptation.
A serious problem with money in politics is the increasing reliance by lawmakers on lobbyists to finance their campaigns. While lawmakers must report what they receive, we favor a system that would also require lobbyists to report the campaign contributions they make to lawmakers.
As it stands today, the lobbying bill still includes some important reporting provisions as the measure goes before a Senate panel this week.
They require lobbyists to disclose the specific legislation they’re working, their client’s position on legislation and “direct business association,” meaning whether they stand to gain hidden benefits, financial or otherwise, from passage or failure of a bill.
These provisions are well worth Senate support.
