OMAHA, Neb.—Many state senators aren’t thrilled with a proposal to keep them and other elected officials from lobbying the Legislature soon after they leave office.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” said Sen. Pat Engel of South Sioux City. “I don’t have any intention of being a lobbyist. That’s not the point.”
But former senators know how the system works and can be a good source of information, Engel said.
Others agree with the governor and Sen. Bill Avery of Lincoln, who are pushing a plan that would initiate a two-year moratorium on becoming registered lobbyists after lawmakers leave office. The bill will be introduced during the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 9.
“When I saw senators that I really respect on the floor immediately turn around and work as lobbyists, it made me question, ‘What’s the ultimate plan here?'” asked Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha, who supports the measure.
In a pre-session survey by The Associated Press, 18 of the 49 senators said they opposed such a restriction. Ten senators said they supported the plan and nine were unsure or did not mark an answer. Twelve senators did not participate in the survey.
Besides state senators, the two-year moratorium would apply to the governor, the lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, the Public Service Commission, the State Board of Education and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Avery said the appearance of impropriety—not actual instances of it—is why the bill is needed.
“What’s motivating us is … we want to inspire confidence in government,” he said.
Regular turnover in the Legislature caused by term limits could increase the number of former senators who become lobbyists and possibly use their connections to the advantage of their clients, Avery said.
Gov. Dave Heineman has thrown his weight behind Avery’s proposal, saying “the focus and priority of elected officials should be on the people of Nebraska, not special-interest groups.”
But some senators said the restrictions, which weren’t in effect when they decided to run for office, aren’t fair and are unnecessary.
“Senators are already suffering financially,” said Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island. “I don’t think the state can or should do anything to prevent employment after their service.”
Sen. Kent Rogert of Tekamah said restricting former senators’ lobbying is “the best way to ensure that we lose institutional memory and exploit the negative effects of term limits.”
Term limits pushed out about 20 veteran lawmakers last year, meaning nearly half of the 49-member Legislature was replaced with fresh faces.
Last year, 11 lawmakers told the AP that there should be a restriction on how soon a former state senator can work as a lobbyist after leaving office. Nineteen said there should not be a restriction and 14 were unsure or gave no answer.
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