Lobbyist decides not to help set lawmakers’ pay

Twin Falls Times-News reporter Jared Hopkins reported today that Gov. Butch Otter appointed his former chief of staff, Jeff Malmen – now a corporate lobbyist – to the committee that determines state legislators’ compensation. When the Times-News inquired about the quiet appointment, Malmen switched course and decided not to accept it. Keith Allred, head of The Common Interest, told the Times-News, “It would be unwise to have a lobbyist helping set legislators’ salaries. It obviously would be a conflict of interest if they would be trying to get a legislator to vote their way on a particular bill. Then the lobbyist has some influence over the legislator that they shouldn’t have.” Click here to read the full story from the Times-News.