Letter to the Editor
Publicize lobbying
Published Monday, January 12, 2009
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!Jan. 8, 2009
To the editor:
Alaska is experiencing political corruption more widely than most other states, according to current federal prosecution records. This is demonstrably harming public confidence in the constitutional statehood we’re celebrating a 50 year anniversary for. Here’s one reason why.
In the Alaska Constitution, Article II, Section 12, the direction to formulate legislative rules of procedure for effective lawmaking is amplified by this command: “The Legislature shall regulate lobbying.” If regulating lobbying was not part of effective legislative procedure, this provision would have been placed elsewhere in the Constitution for use. Furthermore, even the public instinctively understands that unregulated lobbying sabotages representative government.
Therefore, you’d think that this constitutional command would have prompted some Legislative Rules for lawmakers about regulating lobbying. But the published text of Alaska State Legislative Rules proves that all Legislatures since statehood have entirely sidestepped this.
Instead, for years Legislatures have just passed superficial laws about registering lobbyists and their compensation, and forbidding gifts/considerations that could bribe government officials. But this restrains corruption no better than trying to stop water overflowing from a tub using mops and towels while leaving the faucet on.
What could really be done about corruption, and lobbyists having more influence than citizens? Using constitutional authority, our Legislature could pass a rule (a law is unnecessary) using Theodore Roosevelt’s successful practices toward improper special interest power (see his first State of the Union Address). It could read: “Any verbal, electronic, visual or written communication to any legislator from any group or individual must promptly be made public record with rare, supervised exceptions.”
This remedy has been available to know and use for decades. Why are politicians so unconscious of honesty and transparency that they won’t use our political heritage or the simple power of learning from the past?
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Perhaps, Alaskans would take greater comfort in who was talking to their representatives if legislative session took place in an area accessible to the majority of Alaskans...instead of only registered lobbyists.
“Any verbal, electronic, visual or written communication to any legislator from any group or individual must promptly be made public record with rare, supervised exceptions.”
I would generally support this, although I would suggest replacing "legislator" with "any elected official" or something to that effect. Otherwise, the Governor will continue to find loopholes for her shenanigans.
If anyone thinks anything like this has snow balls chance in HELL of passing the elected crooks in Juneau then I have a bridge to sell you. Lobbyists are the bread and butter for the power hungry that seek elective offices for their personal gain and agendas. They are mostly lawyers and know how the game is played, have we not learned anything from our recent past? What would be wrong with having all phone calls, emails, mail, meetings or any other PUBLIC BUSINESS recorded and published?? Bet there would be lots of complants about this........ after all do we really have a need to know???
Gee wonder if the lobbyists who use the comment section of this paper are going to identify themselves.
Oooh, I like this idea, but I think Bugger is right: it is unlikely to happen. We the people need to make it happen, maybe by ballot initiative?
Am I to believe that our esteemed elected officials and the wonderful lobbyists who coordinate with them somehow don't have my best interests at heart?
Next thing you'll try to tell me is that Santa Claus isn't real.
not surprising that we would have more trouble with corruption considering the amount of natural untapped wealth this state has compared to others. could you imagine if illinois had the natural wealth alaska has?
i think the blame lays in both political parties and lawyers because we all know we have the best lawmakers that money can buy. i hope the feds keep digging and throwing politicians in jail. look at the past year. until the capitol gets moved to the road net we will have this problem. is sarah palen is sucessful in getting the goverment moved to anchorage it would be a step in the right direction. the lobbiests for the oil companies along with the tour companies own the legislature in my oponion.
This is off-topic.
The Atlantic has an article worth reading:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200901/fo...
And in Juneau during the Alaska "Indian Country Case-1998" they were saying tribal sovereignty are evil and the state is not? Remember no matter where you are there will be some kind of a government authority functions over your head.....get used to it.
Dumbest suggestion I've heard for a long time:
“Any verbal, electronic, visual or written communication to any legislator from any group or individual must promptly be made public record with rare, supervised exceptions.”
I can just hear it now: "Honey, could you please re-fill my coffee? And, by the way, this conversation will promptly become public record."
A legislator couldn't have a family or friends of any kind. A legislator couldn't order breakfast at McDonalds. A legislator couldn't buy a bagel at the corner shop. What a stupid idea.
Sorry if I sound "unfriendly." It's just that some people just don't think before they speak up.
Does this mean my union reps can't bribe our political candidates with 5 alarm chilli on Labor Day anymore? Or our Mayor's going down to Juneau and buying a beer or three for an interior legislator?
What is the world comming to?
Republican or Democrat. Conflict of Interest and Collusion is against the law. Any politician in either the Executive or Legislative Branches who voted on legislation that, indirectly or directly, benefitted any of their donors, selves, or family, is guilty. I notice that the Neo Con Parasites who aren't being embedded in the Executive Branch are busy getting lobbying and permanent jobs with the same Neo Con owned Conglomerates they were supposedly regulating, says they're morally and ethically challenged. Just as the ones who let them get away with it.
This letter was clearly written by someone who has not been a part of the legislative process.
To cast all elected officials or lobbyists with the broad stroke of the corruption brush is both inaccurate and unfair. Have there been both who have violated the public trust? Yes. But that is, by no means, the vast majority of either.
I promise you, if you are ever to visit your legislator in Juneau, as a constituent you will ALWAYS be given priority over any lobbyist.
Furthermore, if you review the lobbyist registrations with APOC you will find the names of the clients/employers, the general issues (and in many cases, specific bill numbers) being lobbied on, and the amount the lobbyist is compensated on. If Alaska was to institute such a stringent standard, the actual business of government would never be done, there'd just be a bunch of reports written that no one would ever read.
These people are elected and are, therefore, accountable to us.
Argument: It'll just generate a bunch of reports...
Counter: Yep, it sure will. For those of us interested in what these "officials" are up to, there'll be evidence to look at.
Argument: Lobbyists will block this measure...
Counter: Lobbyists can get bent. And those "officials" kowtowing to them can find themselves another job after public censure, recall, and removal.
Argument: Every little thing will be a matter of record...
Counter: Give me a break. We're talking about official business, not what someone had for lunch (though these "officials" should start paying for lunch with their own money, rather than ringing it up as some vague expense... but I digress).
People, we need to take control of our government, and we need to send a clear message to the elected: You've got a job to do, and this is to represent your constituents. If you can't do that, if you balk at accountability, if you have some uppity attitude that you're above it all...it's time to find another line of work, because the people are tired of it!
Thanks to everyone for commenting on this.
Obviously any proposal by an individual is served by tweeking by others. Like inserting the word "lobbying" before "communication".
One precedent for language is the current requirements for legislators to declare their income and compensation.
I do wish to comment on Mr HeathEdwards comment on my unfamiliarity with working with legislators. Here's some data that contradicts his conclusion.
I have been petitioning for 4 years to speak to the Rules committees about conduct and circumstances of the Legislature that exactly falls within Rules Committee jurisdiction per Legislative Rules. I have been turned down or ignored every year -- sometimes with some of the most offensive responses and veiled attacks you can imagine. This is despite written,documented info to Legislative leaders and Legislative ethics. I delivered these petitions in person.
I showed up at the Capitol 2 years ago to testify on ethics legislation and properly signed in. I and others signed in were denied time, though some "experts" were allowed access via phone. When I approached the Committee chairman about the denial, he became flustered and his aide apologized for the "mistake". There was no redress but a suggestion to try at a later hearing.
I tried 3 times via the LIO aides to Sen Charles Huggins (my senator)to set an appointment this summer to avoid the crush during the Session. Though the aide queried twice with required Info from me for making an appointment, Senator Huggins was silent.
This is not including phone and e-mail comms that either were unanswered or given "brush-off" responses. This is even with civil communication with cited references. For example, Rep Mark Neuman (my rep) just gave me a lecture on how he was a "man of the people" both times I saw him last session in Juneau.
It's experiences like this that shows that not only is our political heritage being honored only 40% of the time, but politicians conduct themselves with the methodology of elected aristocracy. That's why moving the capitol would be a joke. They would only start using all the techniques of the Roman Empire used to control and appease the population majority in Rome. They already use some.
Again, the concept above is not original with me, but explained by President Teddy Roosevelt's first State of the Union address. Let's discuss ideas like this and others from our political history. Otherwise we're indirectly agreeing that our political heritage is worthless, and we need to be ruled and protected, instead of being led and served. Now that's corruption!!
Stuart Thompson, letter author
Mr. Thompson-
If you would like to look at the scope of either of the Rules committees scope of authority, I would encourage you to read the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature. You can find those at:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/cgi-bin/fol...
Specifically, you can find the information you'd like under Uniform Rule 20.
Having worked for numerous legislators in the past, I would suspicion that you get the response you do because you approach your legislators with accusation and suspicion of conspiracy. This quote says it all:
"They would only start using all the techniques of the Roman Empire used to control and appease the population majority in Rome. They already use some."
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.