Frank StaheliRep Ralph Becker is Right
Is it just because it’s an idea that came from the opposition party, that many Utah legislators don’t like it? Or is it really because legislators are having way too much fun on the public’s political dime? I think the latter.
I may be missing something, but it seems to me that Democrat Ralph Becker’s legislation severely curtailing legislative gifts would be one of the best bills that could pass on the hill this year. But it probably won’t because it hasn’t passed the several other times he has sponsored it. I have read the bill, and it makes excellent sense.
Current law is so convoluted that it’s difficult to find, in nearly any case, which legislator was feted by which lobbying group.
Here are some excerpts from my longer critique on Simple Utah Mormon Politics:
Lobbyists have profused political society to the exclusion of the people who really count–the people. You know, the ones who elected the legislators in the first place? It began at the federal level, and now is seeping like an ooze into Utah politics. Those who have played the game long enough consider it to be a worthy and honest pasttime. Those of us on the outside don’t think so. It ain’t.
Democrat Ralph Becker for the last several sessions of the Legislature has submitted a bill that would ban lobbying gifts greater than $5. It’s never gotten very far. I suppose it’s because too many legislators think they are worthy of being treated to free Jazz games, dinners, and Great Salt Lake tours. They are not. They are people just like you and I–who happen to have the privilege of representing you and I.
Legislators are people just like us, and they were elected by us. They were not elected by the Utah Soft Drink Association, Pfizer, Questar or the University of Utah. Legislators should support Rep. Becker’s bill as an indication that they are beholden to their real constituents and not those faux constituents who are glad to inebriate legislators to their whims with the gifts they come bearing.
Am I missing something?
February 4th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Ralph Becker’s a great guy. He’s tried to get some version of this bill passed every year and failed every year. He’s definitely one of the most ethical guys we have on the hill.
The problem, I believe, comes down to this — if you don’t have to worry about losing your seat, why should you try to do the right thing? This is the problem with one party politics (and even two party politics to a degree, we need a mulitparty system) — if you know your constituents will vote for you no matter what because you are the one with the R after your name, you don’t have to worry that they’ll boot you out unless you change that R to a D — you can do whatever you want.
February 5th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Frank, Agreed on this being good legislation. Howver, for me the bigger concern in buying influence is in campaign contributions- and in Utah it’s not tough to pick winners- there are very few competitive Leg races.
Gift constitute Jazz tickets. Campaign donations usually range from $500- $1500 a piece.
February 5th, 2007 at 1:08 am
It’s time for the Utah legislature to do this. I don’t know why they can’t just get it done.
February 5th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Tom,
I agree. I touched a bit more on your comments in my original post on Simple Utah Mormon Politics.
February 5th, 2007 at 9:02 am
I’ve met Ralph Becker, taken courses from him at the U. There’s none better in our legislature. He has the right idea.
What gets me, though, is the cheapness of the bribes being handed out by lobbyists. I’m not exactly wealthy, but if I were a state legislator I wouldn’t take the miserable gifts being handed out– I’d demand some serious campaign cash at the very least.
February 5th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Richard, has it occured to you that at these prices, we could pool our pennies and buy ourselves a coulpa reps? I’ll raid my kids piggy bank and get back with you.
April 9th, 2007 at 1:16 am
free rape video…
news…