By the numbers: Why ethics reform makes sense in Georgia
The Pareto Principle is alive and well under the Gold Dome.
Roughly speaking, the Pareto Principle holds that 20 percent of the people produce 80 percent of the results. In business, it might mean a handful of salespeople are responsible for most of a firm’s revenue. In agriculture, it might mean — as the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed a century ago — one-fifth of the pods produce four-fifths of the peas.
Regarding our General Assembly, I allude not to how many lawmakers introduce the bulk of bills that are passed — although that might be true. Rather, I’m talking about gifts from lobbyists to legislators.
My review of such gifts reported in 2011 found that, for the top three leaders in the House (David Ralston, Jan Jones and Larry O’Neal) and Senate (Casey Cagle, Tommie Williams and Chip Rogers), 19 percent of reported gifts accounted for 72 percent of the money spent.
Pretty close to Pareto.
The dividing line that created the 19-72 split was a gift value of $100. That is, 19 percent of gifts to these six lawmakers cost $100 or more, totaling some $58,000 out of the $80,000-plus lobbyists spent on them.
I chose $100 because that’s the proposed cap on gifts in the ethics reform bill (HB 798) introduced last week by Rep. Tommy Smith, R-Nicholls, and strongly supported by the Tea Party Patriots, Common Cause and other groups.
One argument against a gift cap is that it would infringe on lobbyists’ ability to make their cases to lawmakers. Another is that a restriction would push activity “underground”: It wouldn’t go away, but it would go unreported to the public.
If 81 percent of lobbyist gifts already fit underneath the cap, however, those fears strike me as overblown. I am also comforted by the fact that many of these pricey gifts are made by state agencies (think college football tickets) or Fortune 500-type corporations. Neither seems likely to risk being caught flouting state law. More likely, there would be less-expensive meals and fewer trips to stadiums, golf courses or more far-flung spots.
Somehow, I suspect, representative democracy would survive.
Another protest I’ve heard is that any move to limit gifts will lead to political one-upmanship and a race to zero. (“You’re for $100? Well, I’m for $50.” “Yeah? Well, I’m for $25!” And so on.)
Zero sounds good to some folks, but I share the concerns about underground spending in the event of a total ban. In any case, better to start with a limit and evaluate whether further change is needed.
With that in mind, I asked the Senate Democratic leader, Steve Henson of Tucker, whether his caucus would be likely to spark a race to zero.
“If you’re trying to do the right thing and you’re trying to limit gifts from $1,000 [in a few cases now] to $100, I don’t see you being hurt by the public for not going to $10,” he said. “If [Republicans] would enter a dialogue with us, I’m certain we wouldn’t just play a game to try to one-up them politically.”
There’s another way Pareto can be at play here: A small number of citizens can produce large results by talking to their legislators about limits. I hear the phone calls are coming in — and working. Don’t let up now.
—
Here are contacts for key House and Senate officials on this issue, as listed on the General Assembly’s website:
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle: 404-656-5030
Sen. Tommie Williams, R-Lyons (President Pro Tem): 404-656-0089
Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock (Majority Leader): 404-463-1378
Sen. John Crosby, R-Tifton (Chair, Ethics Committee): 404-463-5258
Sen. Gloria Butler, D-Stone Mountain (Secretary, Ethics Committee): 404-656-0075
Rep. David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge (Speaker of the House): 404-656-5020
Rep. Jan Jones, R-Milton (Speaker Pro Tem): 404-656-5072
Rep. Larry O’Neal, R-Bonaire (Majority Leader): 404-656-5052
Rep. Stacey Abrams, D-Atlanta (Minority Leader): 404-656-5058
Rep. Joe Wilkinson, R-Sandy Springs (Chair, Ethics Committee): 404-463-8143
—
And read previous posts on this topic by me, Jay Bookman and the AJC’s editorial board:
To restore public trust, pass ethics reform
In Georgia, time to halt unlimited gifts from lobbyists
Unlimited gift-giving is legalized bribery
House leaders try to squash ethics reform
Ethics legislation: Limit dollar distractions
—
– By Kyle Wingfield
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135 comments Add your comment
GTT
January 29th, 2012
9:07 am
I thought Big Dave Ralston had already buried Smith’s bill. Maybe the FBI could light a little sting fire under the Georgia Legislature like they did in Tennessee in 2005.
Michael H. Smith
January 29th, 2012
9:56 am
@@,
You can pull up things on anyone to make a strained association mean something negative. I’m not buying it, Romney didn’t make the loony moon colony statement or go demagogue something for every group he spoke to from state to state . Fact remains Newt is not a conservative, he is a radical Big Government program guy with a lot of plain dumb ideas that aren’t conservative and “he too” has taken many sides of many issues over the years, so don’t give me this flip-flop, can’t trust junk rap on Romney.
But here’s a question – not that it matters because you are in the tank for Newt just as I’m all in for Romney – Who between Romney and Gingrich actually has a proven record of private sector success as an executive? Same question for the public sector, executive experience only please?
Who is the only politician in this country that has higher political negatives than Hilary Clinton?
Now given the HONEST answers to JUST these questions alone, I can tell you that your guy Newt is a real long shot at best and certainly want do as good of a job on the economic issues, which is the number one issue going up against Obama. Newt has never been a Governor of a State has no real record to speak of as an executive of a private sector corporation and he has higher political negatives than Hilary Clinton nationwide, and even within his own Party!
You got your guy I got mine at least til one wins out over the other.
@@
January 29th, 2012
10:18 am
Michael:
But here’s a question – not that it matters because you are in the tank for Newt just as I’m all in for Romney – Who between Romney and Gingrich actually has a proven record of private sector success as an executive? Same question for the public sector, executive experience only please?
I’m not convinced that private sector success is the key to running government’s business. Both Romney and Gingrich have had a role in managing some level of government. Romney in Massachusetts…Gingrich in Washington.
Romney’s little skirmish in Massachusetts vs Gingrich’s all-out-war on/in Washington.
I’d rather go down fighting than surrender all with Romney.
No need to get all “pithy” with me, Michael.
schnirt
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
January 29th, 2012
10:25 am
Amidst all the babbling from Romney Stooges, I introduce to you the facts of the matter-
NASA issued a new long-range plan that includes building a base on the Moon as a staging point to Mars. This plan envisions a Lunar outpost at one of the moon’s poles by 2024 which, if well-sited, might be able to continually harness solar power; at the poles, temperature changes over the course of a Lunar day are also less extreme, and reserves of water and useful minerals may be found nearby. In addition, the European Space Agency has a plan for a permanently manned Lunar base by 2025.[21][22] Russia has also announced similar plans to send a man to the moon by 2025 and establish a permanent base there several years later.
A Chinese space scientist has said that the People’s Republic of China could be capable of landing a human on the Moon by 2022 (see Chinese Lunar Exploration Program) and Japan and India also have plans for a Lunar base by 2030.)
Any questions?
Michael H. Smith
January 29th, 2012
10:53 am
@@
Oh please, me getting pithy? I’m not the one losing my cool and making personal attacks on you.
Newt never “ran” the government’s business, speaker of the house is not considered to be in executive branch and a speaker, federal or state, is not representing 1/3 of a government, has no veto power over the entire Congress or Assembly. Therefore Newt was never an executive to make executive decisions about running the government’s business.
Romney has more experience as an executive than Newt, you can’t spin that fact.
Newt’s all out war? Uh, Newt left the war to others on the verge of a mutiny by GOP Party members in the house according to some that served at the time.
Mitt had to face Democrat majorities in Massachusetts every year he was Governor, unlike Newt who never dealt with a Democrat majority as speaker. Now talk about who fought the harder fight – it was Romney.
I’m not going down, I’m fighting to the end and there is no surrender to Newt.
NBC/Marist poll: Romney up 15 over Gingrich in Florida
How Romney wins: Consolidates supporters, women…
Romney beats Gingrich and the rest of the field by winning broadly across many subgroups — those who are not Tea Party supporters (52 percent), those who are liberal or moderate (49 percent), make more than $75,000 a year (49 percent), identify as “conservative” (47 percent), and, in particular with women.
There was a stark gender gap between Romney and Gingrich. Women said they preferred Romney by 47-26 percent over Gingrich. The gap is closer with men, but Romney leads with them as well, 38-29 percent.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/29/10260572-nbcmarist-poll-romney-up-15-over-gingrich-in-florida
PS. What’s happening @@, didn’t those women in Florida hear their sister’s roar from SC. They better listen up and say all is forgiven sweetie, we know all men are just a pack of single minded dogs.
Buy for now @@, enjoy your day. Yes, I’m being nice but I do play hardball. I’m saving the nasty stuff for obumer, aren’t you glad?
Michael H. Smith
January 29th, 2012
10:54 am
oopsy… Bye not “buy”
Reality Check
January 29th, 2012
11:06 am
Kyle – I usually agree with you but on this I’m not so sure I do. Lobbyist have to disclose EVERYTHING already so to me that’s all we need. If a lawmaker can justify money spent on him to his constituents then that’s really all that should matter. Every time someone brings up ethics it makes all lawmakers look bad and that just isn’t the case.
Sure, there are some that work the system but most are great people trying to do the right thing.
Disclaimer: at least at the state level.
carlosgvv
January 29th, 2012
12:41 pm
Michael H. Smith – 9:56
No doubt about it. When it comes to executive experience in predatory Big Business, Mitts your man. When it comes to deceitful lying political experience, Newts the one you want. And, if you want a hare-brained religious nut, vote for Santorum. And, if way out in left field is your preference, Pauls your man. Yes, the Republicans definitely have someone for every simple tool conservative voter in America.
Patrick Malone
January 29th, 2012
1:04 pm
Ethics reform seems to assume there is a problem with unethical behavior. If everything is disclosed ( as it is now) the voters are in the best position to determine whether or not their Representative or Senator is behaving in a ethical manner.
catlady
January 29th, 2012
1:06 pm
HOw striking that all of those named above by Kyle are Rs. That doesn’t mean Ds don’t do wrong, In fact, it is probably a comment that the Rs are the ones in power. But it’s high time to clamp down on the self-serving going on in the Legislature. Why pay them at all?
Real Athens
January 29th, 2012
1:07 pm
GT:
Harrison’s? Wow. I’m getting old. Had forgotten about it but now remember it well. Thanks, I guess. A lot of the mega-churches have been burying The Word for a long time.
Hillbilly D
January 29th, 2012
2:39 pm
annihilating the German Army
The German Army suffered approximately 5 million killed in WWII. 1 million of those were lost in about a month on the Eastern Front, so we had some help.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
January 29th, 2012
3:36 pm
Bell’s plant at Buffalo delivered well over 2,000 P-63 Kingcobra fighter planes to Russia, where they stood up well to the harsh environment.
The Red Army used extensive quantities of Lend-Lease tanks and other armoured vehicles from the USA, Great Britain and Canada. A total of 22,800 armoured vehicles were supplied to the Red Army during the war, of which 1,981 were lost at sea on the dangerous Arctic convoys. In total, Lend Lease armoured vehicles amounted to about 20 per cent of the total number of armoured vehicles manufactured by Russia in WW2. The first shipments of tanks were dispatched in 1941, amounting to 487 Matildas, Valentines and Tetrarchs from the UK and 182 M3A1 Stuart light tanks and M3 Lee medium tanks from the USA. In 1942, Britain provided a further 2,487 tanks and the USA 3,023 tanks. The first units equipped with Valentines and Matildas went into service in the Staraya Russa and Valdai areas in December 1941 and January 1942.
They had some help too.
Hillbilly D
January 29th, 2012
4:01 pm
They had some help too.
No argument there.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
January 29th, 2012
6:17 pm
Obama Weekly Address: “We Weren’t Sent Here To Wage Perpetual Political Campaigns”
That’s all this goon does is kkkampaign.
It isn’t like he governs or anything.
@@
January 29th, 2012
7:06 pm
Oh please, me getting pithy? I’m not the one losing my cool and making personal attacks on you.
A personal attack!!??!!
Not only are you EASY…you’re a bit thin-skinned “to boot”.
schnirt
Anyhoo…
I’m not going down, I’m fighting to the end and there is no surrender to Newt.
And you think I’m inflexible?
There was a stark gender gap between Romney and Gingrich. Women said they preferred Romney by 47-26 percent over Gingrich.
What can I say? Women are shallow…Romney’s better looking than Newt. He comes off like the boy next door. Women want to mother him. ICK!
oopsy… Bye not “buy”
“oopsy”!!??!!
You’re beginning to remind me of Bosch at jay’s place. I always suspected he was a she.
“oopsy”!!??!! An emoticon!!??!!
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 29th, 2012
8:26 pm
Obozo Weekly Address: “We Weren’t Sent Here To Wage Perpetual Political Campaigns”
————————-
I guess he’s allowing for a couple of rounds of golf every week. Except for that, he’s just been campaigning.
Obozo: Liar.
Velian Hill
January 29th, 2012
8:47 pm
I want ethics reform but while we’re at it let’s change the law allowing the Tea Party Patriots to lobby for legislation and campaign for candidates without disclosing their donors or how they spend their money. Fair is fair right?
Velian Hill
January 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
Oh, and the lead Senator on ethics reform, Josh McKoon, should take a look in the mirror. He hasn’t met a lobbyist gift he wouldn’t take.
GodHatesTrash, Superstar
January 29th, 2012
9:36 pm
Goldilocks @6:17 That’s all this goon does is kkkampaign.
Looks like KKKurly is sending out KKKode to the rest of Kyle’s Kavalcade of Konservative Krazies and Kooks….
(Kretin. The point on your hood matches the one on your head.)
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
January 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
Nancy- This is nothing to get angry about.
Imagine if you were a suckhole like obozo and your followers were mere morons awaiting their next set of instructions, would you not goose the dimwits up with some absurd fiction, knowing full well they haven’t a clue?
Wait a minute, I’m talking to one of the dimwits. Never mind.
You go, girl!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
January 29th, 2012
9:49 pm
obozo works his ass off on the golf course.
jumping jack flash
January 30th, 2012
7:28 am
If you want to see who is buying time with the people you elected to represent YOUR interest, go to (www)gaethics.gov and surf around. You can see the long list of free meals, airline tickets, golf outings, sports event tickets, etc., who is buying, and who is being bought. You had better act fast though, because Shady has already taken a hatchet to this department, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been paying attention.
jumping jack flash
January 30th, 2012
7:30 am
(www)ethics.ga.gov Sorry.
the red herring
January 30th, 2012
8:18 am
a limit of $100 would be a great idea IF it could be enforced. too many of our political decisions are made due to kickbacks and the decision goes on to hurt the georgia taxpayer. don’t know if any kickbacks were paid in the case of the turn wood products into ethanol but likely there were some.
politicians (both state and federal) do not need to be picking winners and losers for us. they simply pick too many losers that they want to be winners but are not.
GT
January 30th, 2012
8:29 am
They got a roast going on in Alabama too, with the state house. In the middle of that sting by the feds was the a former aid to a former Republican Speaker of the Georgia House here. It seems all these states that get whipped up about illegal immigrates have more pressing problems, and use segregation and illegal immigrates as a smoke screen to pick our pockets. They bully and claim refuge in the church, which really does not help a dying organization’s imagine. The church then puts out a negative message that they are under attach which is carried by that crooked politician looking for some cover.
clyde
January 30th, 2012
9:08 am
I wonder what Mark Twain would say about ethics reform and politicians?There ain’t no such animal.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 30th, 2012
9:51 am
let’s change the law allowing the Tea Party Patriots to lobby for legislation and campaign for candidates without disclosing their donors or how they spend their money. Fair is fair right?
——–
The tea party is not the government, they’re citizens. Do you have a problem with freedom of association and privacy in general, or only for people who don’t support your liberal fascist agenda and it’s community-organizer-buffoon-leader?
clyde
January 30th, 2012
9:56 am
Scott Brown-R-Mass, has co-sponsered a bill before The Senate at the moment regarding politicians acting on information before it becomes public.Let’s see how this comes out.
Do what??????
January 30th, 2012
10:10 am
“Looks like KKKurly is sending out KKKode to the rest of Kyle’s Kavalcade of Konservative Krazies and Kooks….”
Awe, that’s no way to talk about Obama.
Do what??????
January 30th, 2012
10:11 am
Coincidence?
He is the son of a canoe-carver, a mild-mannered academic who wears a fedora but eschews the flowing robes and bombastic brashness that often characterize Africa’s “Big Man” leaders.
When elected president in April 2011, he was described as “Nigeria’s Obama,” a leader who would bring change to the oil-rich but poverty-ridden nation.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/world/africa/goodluck-jonathan-profile/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
Dusty
January 30th, 2012
11:57 am
Technical problems?
getalife
January 30th, 2012
12:08 pm
The cons lied and said the OWS movement was over.
The cons have never been right about anything.
Dusty
January 30th, 2012
12:19 pm
getalife,
Sooo “the cons have never been right about anything.”
You must be a “con” man.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 30th, 2012
12:33 pm
MF Global client money feared gone
Nearly three months after MF Global Holdings collapsed, officials hunting for an estimated $1.2 billion in missing customer money increasingly believe that much of it might never be recovered, according to people familiar with the investigation.
————–
Where were Obozo’s regulators?
Oh, right, MF Global was run by Democrat cronies of Obozo.
Obozo: Criminal.