Eye On Boise

‘Turning the tables’

Feb. 16, 2009 7:41 a.m. • 9 comments

Each year, three North Idaho state representatives - Reps. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d’Alene, Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, and Eric Anderson, R-Priest Lake - take the lobbyists out to dinner on the reps’ own personal dime. Last week, the annual dinner drew about 35 lobbyists, Nonini said. “It’s the fourth year we’ve done that. House leadership was there,” he said. The group enjoyed Basque food at Leku Ona restaurant downtown, and “we all put it on our personal credit cards,” Nonini said. “We just kinda turn the tables on ‘em, instead of them buying us dinner, we buy them dinner.”

Nonini didn’t volunteer this account; he was asked about it by Eye on Boise. “It’s just a good time to get everyone together,” he explained. “They’re supportive of us and they’re good, when there’s an issue out there that you want to talk about. … It’s just a thing we’ve done the last four years to show our appreciation for their willingness to help us understand issues.”

Nine comments on this post so far. Add yours!

thomg57 on February 16 at 8:03 a.m.
There appears to be something broken with Idaho government when our State Legislators wine & dine lobbyists; can we please have some ethics legislation.
Callisto on February 16 at 12:30 p.m.
ThomG, you’re absolutely correct. Legislators rely on lobbyists to write legislation and explain the “issues,” while ignoring the fact that lobbyists only represent the interests they are paid to represent.

The only ethics legislation needed is a requirement for full disclosure of the personal financial records of all elected and appointed officials. This will never happen until and unless the electorate demands it. I doubt that even one Republican official would agree to disclose their financial records, but perhaps there is a Democratic legislator who could lead by example by voluntarily disclosing their financial records now.
GaryIngram on February 16 at 1:16 p.m.
ThomG - no defense on this from me. I have always held that the relationship between lobbyists and policy makers, whether city officials or state lawmakers should be at arms length. The worst of it is where local units of government using tax payer receipts (assn. dues) purchase lobbyists to work against the taxpayer and thwart any attempt to change laws to the benefit of governed. You have no idea, or maybe you do, the arm twisting by cities and counties, for example, to weaken ethnics, public records and open meeting laws. I know. It’s happening as I type. Stay tuned.
GaryIngram on February 16 at 1:18 p.m.
Oops, drop the ‘n’ . It’s ethics!
AutismMom on February 16 at 5:26 p.m.
Hmm, I provided assistance in understanding to many legislators in regards to proposed cuts of developmental disability services but I haven’t received my invitation for dinner yet. Perhaps I wasn’t providing information that they wanted to hear….. Nice to know that the paid lobbyists are being looked after by our legislature. I know I was concerned that their interests would be ignored. (BIG sigh of relief)