The Letter of the Law
Utah legislators are prohibited from soliciting and collecting campaign funds during the legislative session. But there are ways around the law and none are better at the dodge than Utah County Republicans.
The Utah County Republican Party held its annual Lincoln Day Dinner, a party fund-raiser, last weekend, which some regular GOP contributors call the biggest shake-down of the year.
Company representatives and their lobbyists are reminded by the fund-raiser's organizers how many seats or tables their competitors have purchased. They also are reminded how many Utah County legislators are in leadership, which could help their cause if those legislators agree with them.
But the kicker is that five Republican lawmakers and two spouses of legislators are on the event's "sales committee," those most responsible for the shakedown. Those legislators and spouses, as members of the sales committee, passed out appetizers to the paying guests, joined by several lobbyists on the sale committee who also were making sure everyone had a good time.
The legislators on the sales committee include Reps. John Dougall, R-Highland; Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove; Greg Hughes, R-Draper; Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, and Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo. Stan Lockhart, husband of Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, and Will Fowlke, husband of Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, also served on the sales committee.
So while legislators can't solicit donations during the session, they can help the party solicit funds, and use their influence as legislators to do so, and the party later turns around and gives them much of the money for their campaigns.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
The Utah County Republican Party held its annual Lincoln Day Dinner, a party fund-raiser, last weekend, which some regular GOP contributors call the biggest shake-down of the year.
Company representatives and their lobbyists are reminded by the fund-raiser's organizers how many seats or tables their competitors have purchased. They also are reminded how many Utah County legislators are in leadership, which could help their cause if those legislators agree with them.
But the kicker is that five Republican lawmakers and two spouses of legislators are on the event's "sales committee," those most responsible for the shakedown. Those legislators and spouses, as members of the sales committee, passed out appetizers to the paying guests, joined by several lobbyists on the sale committee who also were making sure everyone had a good time.
The legislators on the sales committee include Reps. John Dougall, R-Highland; Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove; Greg Hughes, R-Draper; Mike Morley, R-Spanish Fork, and Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo. Stan Lockhart, husband of Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, and Will Fowlke, husband of Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, also served on the sales committee.
So while legislators can't solicit donations during the session, they can help the party solicit funds, and use their influence as legislators to do so, and the party later turns around and gives them much of the money for their campaigns.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
3:18 PM
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1 Comments:
Thieves and hypocrites all of them.
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