The Senate's two-head monster
Lobbyist Stephenson (top) and a client.A tentative package of ethics bills presented to lawmakers threw a spotlight on one of the Utah Legislature's more uncomfortable situations.
The bills would ban most gifts, keep ex-politicos from keeping their campaign chests and make state lawmakers wait at least a year before returning, zombie-like, as lobbyists.
Here's the the conundrum: Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is also a registered lobbyist for the Utah Taxpayers Association, which despite its benign name, mainly lobbies for business and industry tax breaks.
When House members asked Majority Whip Brad Dee how the anti-revolving door proposal would affect such legislator/lobbyists. Dee coyly answered:
Perhaps the different body needs to address that.The Democrats reaction to the ethics bill package is here.
To get some idea of the length and breadth of the trough filled by lobbyists, go here. The long and the short: Lawmakers average about $1,600 in gifts for each session. (Which brings up another question: Under the ethics reform, will Stephenson be able to buy himself lunch or treat himself to a Jazz game?)
6 Comments:
The Left, including the Tribune, refuses to acknowledge that government employees in the Legislature have conflicts.
Somehow, it's just the private sector with conflicts. Government employees are pure.
Glen, Are you sure that's not a picture of you? I mean you're in the picture with someone holding you?
I think the legislature should ban from service all paid lobbyist and all employees of governmental entities (cities, counties, schools, etc.).
Too bad that the Utah Taxpayers Association lobbies for business tax cuts.
While it's true that businesses pass taxes on to consumers (and/or shareholders and/or workers), I'd rather have government tax businesses which would obscure our real tax burdens. The less visible taxes are, the more government can tax and the more government can spend on vital needs like the arts and mass transit.
That's laughable. Stephenson is an advocate of protecting the corporate income tax, raising property taxes, keeping the sales tax (including on food) and only granting tax breaks to those who pay membership dues. He also is a champion of pork barrel spending and special-interest line items, especially in the education budget.
Stephenson is nothing more than a socially conservative big government trough feeder, who would be king and dictator of all. He gives conservatives a bad name.
Joseph Smith professed "teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves." Stephenson celebrates "why teach them when I can govern them myself."
Stephenson Truth? He helps his buddies with the government coffers.
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