Good-bye Lobbyist
Salt Lake City Mayor-elect Ralph Becker appears to be heading in a new direction when it comes to lobbying other governmental entities - particularly the Utah Legislature - on issues affecting the city.
Becker, who will be inaugurated Monday, is cutting ties with outside lobbyist Craig Peterson and his $40,000 to $50,000 annual contract. Instead the lobbying duties will be put on the shoulders of incoming full-time staffer Ben McAdams, who Becker has tabbed as his governmental relations officer.
McAdams' duties will be to coordinate with not only the Legislature, but the federal government and other local entities as well. Becker, who has been the House Minority Leader at the Utah Legislature, says he will personally get involved in lobbying on the Hill as well.
Hiring outside lobbyists has been a growing trend among city governments the last few years. Sticky situations have arisen when lobbyists have represented two or three local governments with conflicting interests.
Besides Salt Lake City, Peterson, a former state senator from Utah County, also has been a paid lobbyist for Sandy City, which beat out Salt Lake City for a professional soccer stadium after the Legislature got involved on Sandy's behalf. Sandy also is competing with Salt Lake City for a Broadway-style theater.
Becker said the change has nothing to do with Peterson's performance, which he commended. He said, for the time being, his administration wants to see how things work by having the lobbying responsibilities done in-house.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Becker, who will be inaugurated Monday, is cutting ties with outside lobbyist Craig Peterson and his $40,000 to $50,000 annual contract. Instead the lobbying duties will be put on the shoulders of incoming full-time staffer Ben McAdams, who Becker has tabbed as his governmental relations officer.
McAdams' duties will be to coordinate with not only the Legislature, but the federal government and other local entities as well. Becker, who has been the House Minority Leader at the Utah Legislature, says he will personally get involved in lobbying on the Hill as well.
Hiring outside lobbyists has been a growing trend among city governments the last few years. Sticky situations have arisen when lobbyists have represented two or three local governments with conflicting interests.
Besides Salt Lake City, Peterson, a former state senator from Utah County, also has been a paid lobbyist for Sandy City, which beat out Salt Lake City for a professional soccer stadium after the Legislature got involved on Sandy's behalf. Sandy also is competing with Salt Lake City for a Broadway-style theater.
Becker said the change has nothing to do with Peterson's performance, which he commended. He said, for the time being, his administration wants to see how things work by having the lobbying responsibilities done in-house.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
12:05 PM
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