Let lobbyists pay

By Staff
May 21, 2004
With lobbyists spending more money to influence Mississippi lawmakers maybe it's time to review the entire system under which our laws are made.
Lobbyists spent $9.9 million in 2003, compared with $9.7 million in 2002, according to a report released this week by the Washington-based Center for Public Integrity. Overall, $889 million was spent on lobbying around the nation, up from $720 million. The increase was spurred by hot-button issues that included restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuit awards and further regulation of telecommunications, the report said.
Rather than buying all that special attention with strategically-positioned individual lawmakers and footing the bill for steak and lobster dinners and whiskey cordials, maybe lobbyists should just pay for the entire cost of a legislative session $10 million should just about cover it.
This way, lobbyists could drop the pretense that they're just supporting the cause of better government when they descend on the Capitol with their special interests. No more backroom chats in favorite restaurants, no golf, no dinners, no trips, no touching little gifts. No more inconvenience for taxpayers who pay through the nose every time the Legislature convenes, and pay double when lawmakers are unable to finish their work in a regular session.
Has anybody ever suggested that lobbyists just make a straightforward payment, up front when the session begins, checks payable to the state treasury? How would all the special interests decide which pay how much? Oh, they're smart guys; they'll figure out that part.