Commissioners Forgo Olympia Lobbyist Roskelley’s Opposition Prevents Unanimous Vote Hasson Wanted To Hire Ex-Legislator Bill Day For $10,000

Spokane County commissioners Thursday decided against hiring an Olympia lobbyist after the leading prospect - former state legislator Bill Day - could not get unanimous approval.

Commissioner John Roskelley was the lone holdout, saying the position was not funded in the 1996 budget and that the last lobbyist didn’t perform well.

Day, a Spokane Democrat, got the votes of commissioners Phil Harris and Steve Hasson, but Hasson said it had to be unanimous because he didn’t want it viewed as a political favor.

Hasson noted that he and Day are “good friends” and that Day submitted his job proposal after the deadline.

“Some people in the public might see that as cronyism,” Hasson said.

Commissioners asked for job bids last month and received only one application by the Nov. 21 deadline. That was from their former lobbyist - Randy Scott of Olympia, who held the job for two years.

While Hasson said Scott was effective during the 1994 session, “You really felt his lack of presence” last year.

Scott refused to comment, saying, “I’m not quotable.”

Day, 40, a former four-term representative, turned in his application about two weeks after the deadline. He was top salesman last month for Appleway Lexus of Spokane, but said he wants back into politics.

His proposal would have cost taxpayers about $10,000 for 90 days, including expenses. Because of an ongoing budget crunch, commissioners would have been forced to draw from paltry reserves.

Day said it was a small price to pay to shepherd through bills and money, particularly for transportation projects, that would help Spokane County.

More than 1,000 special interests court lawmakers each year, Day said. A county this size needs a seat at the table, he added.

“I hope you change your mind,” Day said. “You can lose $10,000 or $10 million.”

Hasson said with Day’s political experience, he would have no trouble working both sides of the aisle and looking out for Spokane County’s interests during the legislative session that begins Jan. 8.

Officials from West Side counties, Hasson noted, are close enough to Olympia to lobby lawmakers themselves. “Unless we have someone over there, then we’re greatly disadvantaged,” he said.

Hasson and Harris tried to lobby Roskelley to change his “no” vote, but the newest commissioner held firm over budget concerns.

“Mr. Day, don’t take my ‘no’ as a personal affront,” Roskelley said. Day said he didn’t.

Day served in the House for eight years until 1992, when he narrowly lost a Senate election to Republican John Moyer.

Day came under fire during the campaign for spending $20,000 in campaign funds on fancy suits, Lake Coeur d’Alene boat cruises, haircuts and fine meals.

, DataTimes