Thursday, 10 April 2008
The Nefarious Acts Of The State Senate
« Yarmuth!'s Bad Idea | Main | Protesting Thunder »Today the Courier featured an article about lobyists throwing a shin dig for State Senators at Thunder.
While hundreds of thousands of people will likely be standing in a cool rain to watch Saturday's Thunder Over Louisville, some Kentucky state senators will be dining in style with a riverfront view inside the Muhammad Ali Center. Advertisement
The party is courtesy of some of Frankfort's most prominent lobbyists, including Ronny Pryor, Mike Shea, John McCarthy, Terry McBrayer and Ellen Williams.
It's the second year for the event that puts lobbyists elbow to elbow with senators just before they head back to Frankfort for the final two days of the 2008 session, April 14 and 15.
I love how they make it sound all sinister.Its as if the Republicans are cozying up to the lobbyists and fat cats. They only care about the wealthy.
But Dick Beliles, chairman of Common Cause of Kentucky, said the event and its timing raise questions. He noted that none of the sponsors are human-service providers, some of which received large cuts in the budget the General Assembly passed last week.
"It's the moneyed interests that are going to get a better chance at access," Beliles said. "It gives them too much access … and it's pretty darn obvious that that's what it's for."
The whole thing is kinda funny. Can they be any more stereotypical? How will this party with two days left in the session going to matter? All the major legislation is written. Its not like the senators can make a fleury of last minute changes to legislation just because they talked to lobbyists a few days before the end of the session.
This type of party is about making connections. It allows the lobbyists a chance to meet the senators and get to know then one on one. It will make it easier when they call on them in the future. In fact there is NOTHING at all wrong with the event.
John Schaaf, general counsel for the Legislative Ethics Commission, said the event is legal.
This article is nothing but a cheap shot at Republicans. An attempt to throw mud on them after they deep sixed the tax and spend instincts of the Democrats. Of course, I could be wrong. I am sure they will have a major article the next time lobyists hold an event for Democrats. But for some reason, I am not going to hold my breath waiting for it.
