Lobbyist bill was a sensible idea, too bad it failed to pass

Published Friday, April 20, 2007

We were disappointed to learn this week that the Minnesota Senate had failed to pass a bill that would have required former lawmakers to wait a year after leaving office before going to work as lobbyists. It is a sensible idea, one that could only improve the quality of state government.

When retiring lawmakers immediately go to work as paid lobbyists they have the ability to exert significant — and undue — influence on their former colleagues at the Capitol. That’s why they are highly prized as lobbyists, and so often take jobs in that field upon retiring from the Legislature.

The bill that fell one vote short in the Senate this week would have created a one-year waiting period before a lawmaker could return as a lobbyist.

Those who opposed the measure have several half-baked reasons why it is in the public’s best interest for ex-lawmakers to immediately become lobbyists. What we fear is that many lawmakers see the opportunity as a guaranteed income upon leaving the Legislature.

And as such, the trend of retired or defeated lawmakers turning to paid lobbying can be seen as nothing but destructive.

The bill’s author, Sen. John Marty of Roseville, has said he will try to bring the measure back for another vote. We hope that he does, and that it wins approval.

The House has yet to give the idea serious consideration, but perhaps it might — if the Senate would lead the way