Lobbying reform urged
BOISE – House Democrats are pushing a bill to forbid former Idaho legislators from being paid to lobby their former colleagues for at least one year after they leave office.
The measure, which could get a hearing next week, comes after the Associated Press reported a prominent former lawmaker won a lobbying contract with a California developer with help from state House Speaker Lawerence Denney, R-Midvale.
Democratic representatives said Friday that the incident highlights the need for Idaho to add a so-called “revolving door” restriction to its lobbying law. At least 26 states have them now, including neighboring Washington and Montana, with limits of up to two years to prevent former lawmakers from advocating special interests to their former colleagues.
“It’s partially about appearance,” said Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston. “The perception of impropriety does impair our ability to govern.”
Foursquare Properties Inc. in February hired ex-Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, after Denney suggested she’d be better than its lobbyist at the time, Jerry Deckard. Ellsworth had served five terms in the Legislature but was defeated in November by a Democrat.
Democrats say the appearance of potential political retribution in this instance heightens the need for a rule: Deckard had backed Rep. Bill Deal, R-Nampa, in his unsuccessful race in December against Denney to be House speaker. Denney said he indicated that a bill being pushed by Foursquare would fare more favorably with House leadership if Foursquare found a new lobbyist.
That bill would allow Foursquare to be reimbursed from state sales taxes for the cost of building a freeway interchange at its shopping mall at Post Falls. The company wants the interchange to lure outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. to put a store in the mall.
The bill died in committee last year. A new version this year, after Ellsworth was hired as lobbyist, cleared the House and Senate and awaits Gov. Butch Otter’s signature.
“The speaker of the House improperly used his influence to provide a soft landing for one of his friends and to punish a lobbyist who didn’t support him,” House Minority Leader Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, said Friday.
Jaquet said Denney has told her the lobbying bill could get a hearing next week.
Denney couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Friday afternoon. But asked this week whether he thought revolving-door prohibitions were necessary, Denney said he was satisfied with current laws.
House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star, said the matter should be discussed, though he was concerned about too-strictly limiting future employment opportunities for former lawmakers.
“Where do you draw the line?” Moyle asked.
Senators expressed similar sentiments.
“I don’t think that former members are so influential that it jeopardizes the integrity of this institution,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston.
“I’m personally open to the discussion of legislation if there’s a perceived need for that kind of statutory remedy,” he added.
A similar, more-expansive bill pushed by Sen. Kate Kelly, R-Boise, hasn’t gotten a hearing. It would restrict revolving-door jobs not only for ex-lawmakers, but also for executive branch officials and their employees.
The House proposal was drafted narrowly to include only legislators, in hopes of getting Republican majority leaders to agree to an initial hearing.
“It’s probably not the final solution, but it does pass the smell test,” Jaquet said.