House Republicans consider total ban on lobbyist spending
This blog is about to go silent for a few days, to rest up for the Aug. 21 runoffs.
But we’ll leave you with this tidbit: You know that House Republicans, especially Speaker David Ralston, have endured a great deal of criticism for their opposition to a $100 cap on gifts from lobbyists to state lawmakers.
Last week, 87 percent of GOP voters in the July 31 primary endorsed the cap, which Ralston has called a “gimmick.” To give the speaker his due, it is indeed a low bar. A lobbyist would be able to spend $100 on a lawmaker’s breakfast, and still be allowed to buy him a $100 lunch.
We’ve gotten reliable information – and not from a single source — that House Republican leaders are considering legislation next January that would ban all lobbyist spending on lawmakers altogether. Nothing. Zip. Nada. And that Ralston is among those who have expressed interest in this path.
The impact on the culture of the state Capitol would be tremendous.
Leaders of the state Senate have signed onto the petition pushed by Common Cause Georgia and tea party groups, endorsing the $100 cap.
If you’re looking for a tactical parallel, think of abortion. For years, the House was the recipient of Senate bill after Senate bill that pushed for tougher restrictions. It relied on the House to block them.
But last year, the House up and approved passed HB 954, a bill that shortened the period during which a woman could seek an abortion. It was the most aggressive measure passed in decades. The Senate became the chamber forced to moderate the bill, with a provision that exempted pregnancies in which the fetus was found to be non-viable.
We may be looking at yet another example of one-upmanship. Consider this a signal that if state senators are willing to push the issue of ethics, Ralston’s House is prepared to meet them.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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127 comments Add your comment
WTF
August 10th, 2012
11:59 am
@Auntie:
Your fiction is just more fun.
hiram
August 10th, 2012
12:26 pm
In order for our state’s government to function as designed, the state’s citizens can’t just function as spectators.
Georgia Constitution
SECTION II.
ORIGIN AND STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
Paragraph I. Origin and foundation of government. All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. Public officers are the trustees and servants of the people and are at all times amenable to them .
Paragraph II. Object of government. The people of this state have the inherent right of regulating their internal government. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people; and at all times they have the right to alter or reform the same whenever the public good may require it.
jconservative
August 10th, 2012
12:56 pm
Relax lobbyist, don’t panic!
There are several months left for both chambers to think of reasons not to pass such bills. So take your favorite general assrmbly member on a Hilton Head golfing this weekend.
WTF
August 10th, 2012
12:59 pm
Because golfing in 100 degree heat in the lowcountry in August is just what every legislator wants to do on the weekend.
Auntie Christ
August 10th, 2012
1:16 pm
Loblaw @1156: “We have good people down there. With 200+ spots up for election, you surely get some bad apples. Your broad brush would color that Gold dome black.”
As a lawyer, it is your job to read between the lines in an effort to find loopholes, but it is not good form to do it on an internet blog. Was there anything in my comment indicting the 200+ good people you refer to? Is there some reason you interpreted my comment to mean I was referring to anyone other than those you characterize as “bad apples?” It may be you who circles in the black helo, ready to ‘SWAT’ those critical influence peddling at the Capitol, which is the SOP of modern politics and pretty much done by the ‘bad apples’ as I described it.
Since you took such umbrage, I have to wonder if there is some hint of a guilty conscience in there somewhere? You’re not one of Bubba’s ‘contributors are you.
Bob Loblaw
August 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
@Auntie:
What on God’s green Earth are you talking about? Or should I say, doubletalking about? In the words of the Chicken Farmer in “Napoleon Dynamite,” Boy, I don’t know a thing you just said.
Auntie Christ
August 10th, 2012
1:36 pm
And Bob, you’re not gonna bill me for that misguided ‘advice’ are you?
Auntie Christ
August 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
Loblaw @ 135: “Boy, I don’t know a thing you just said.”
In the future, I’ll try to remain monosyllabic when I reply to your comments.
Just saying..
August 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
Isn’t this also called “Leading from behind”?
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
1:46 pm
SouthernGal @ 7:07 am – While reviewing all of the other comments posted and yours it leaves me with a sense that the issue of Women’s healthcare rights are not as an important as the issue to those who are without a VAGINA!
The interest of a maximum $100 ban seems to be the most important thing here by most of the posters so far. That alone is very intriguing and telling more than you know!
You can bet many of the silent female readers of this column are attuned to the fact. It is my hope and desire,they are only waiting in silence as most females do when MEN do stupid things awaiting their chance to be heard.
I would be willing to go out on a limb and say despite your user name gender reference. Your comment typically comes from one who is without a VAGINA!
Just saying..
August 10th, 2012
2:41 pm
Steve
August 9th, 2012-8:23 pm: “How about banning lobbyists all together?”
Got my vote.
S
August 10th, 2012
3:37 pm
There’s an election coming up are they going to say “Were keeping the Perks”, no they will lie and say they will do away with them. Hypocrites! Cretin’s a perfect name for these Republican fools. Every single woman needs to get registered and go to the polls in this state come Nov. If any of the Cretins are not up for reelection this year, catch them at the next election and vote for the other guy/girl. These Republicans in office from this state have shown, all, what their made of, and it is not something fit for public office.
Moon Mullins
August 10th, 2012
4:01 pm
Don’t hold your breath. These ol’ boys are so used to handouts and perqs that you’ll have to pry them from their cold dead hands.
Cobbian
August 10th, 2012
4:46 pm
regarding that $100 cap on gifts from lobbyists to legislators…
I voted against it because I wanted zip, nada, not one red cent. Get rid of all forms of payoffs, gifts, graft between legislators and lobbyists. Of course, that means that what the supporters of lobbyists give to those who run for office will become even more important … to the legislators. But, we can only attack corruption one step at the time. Lets at least do this much.
Dave
August 10th, 2012
5:19 pm
If they mean it, I might become a GOP guy. I don’t really mean it, especially since it appears from this piece that they are playing some sort of insider game with their friends in the state Senate. How about another referendum in November: “Should the Legislature vote for, and the Governor sign, a bill that forbids any employee, constitutional officer, representative, senator or governor of the State of Georgia be forbidden to receive anything of value from any person or entity? If so, should such a person taking anything of value be prosecuted for a felony? Or something like that. How hard is it to no be bought, other than the getting over the nostalgia for the “good old days?”
Dave
August 10th, 2012
5:20 pm
Sorry for the typos, I think faster than I type.
Chappy
August 10th, 2012
6:06 pm
Really think this will stop the actual real business transactions? Those of board appointments, jobs for relatives, business tossed into wife’s accounts, campaign support by loads of distributed gidt accounting, post-govt job positions to take advantage of their social groups… The list goes on.
The REAL money behind being in office compared to trinkets in public view?
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
6:34 pm
You have high hopes for the republicans in the state assembly. Waaayy to high. No ethics until we have a balance of power, we have nearly a one party system in this backwards state. Nothing good will come of it. Vote Democrat if you want to see positive change.
Dave
August 10th, 2012
6:43 pm
Bernie, I’m not a GOP guy; but, the Dems did the same thing for decades. And it isn’t a matter of backwards, it’s politicians thinking, and for the most part given reality, being right about, they are golden no matter what they do. Once they get the golden “seat” they have a ticket to ride.
Predatory Lender
August 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
Can you say D.O.A.? Doesn’t have a chance. Hey, Jim. You laugh’n yet? How ’bout the bill where an adulterer forfeited all assets?
Kris
August 10th, 2012
7:22 pm
How much does it cost the lobbyist to get favors….A private plane ride to a exotic place for the family or companion. How about a job for uncle Festor ETC ETC…. What about doing their JOBS and represent the Citizens that elected them….My bad this is GA last in ethics,EDUCATION AND home FORECLOSURE to name a few that Georgia excels at.
Vote the crooks out, RECALL or IMPEACH the rest!
Just sayin!
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
8:04 pm
Bernie @ 6:34 pm – This is NOT The opinion of words prior to the original BERNIE of
all postings before time 6:34PM…AJC has serious security issues on its BLOGS!
Will in Roswell
August 10th, 2012
8:11 pm
To Road Scholar,
Thanks for your comment on my comment.
Meet in a legislator’s office? Yes, I have done that on occasion, and it is helpful. However, I have found that having a lunch or supper is a much more productive use of my time and that of the legislator. Having someone in my pocket? No. Just common sense conversation.
Bernie
August 10th, 2012
8:14 pm
Will in Roswell @ 8:11 pm – This is example of Georgia Good ole BOY politics works in real time. ACCESS means everything!
Thomas
August 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
Chaos will soon overwhelm the call for public trust!
Kris
August 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
Two East Point residents have filed a lawsuit seeking to remove a small suburb’s mayor from office.
East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman has violated her oath of office and violated city laws while serving as they city’s part-time mayor. “She goes to an ethics hearing.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/residents-file-lawsuit-remove-east-point-mayor/nQR9L/
This is a start! Food for thought
Dave
August 10th, 2012
9:25 pm
So Will, why not just go “Dutch” same productive use of your and the legislator’s time with “common sense conversation?”