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Friday, September 12, 2008
Here We Go Again
Yet another state lawmaker is becoming a lobbyist. State Rep. Mike Ripley, who did not seek re-election this year, will become a lobbyist for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce one day after this November's election according to the Associated Press. Indiana is one of a minority of states which does not mandate a waiting period for ex-lawmakers before they can become lobbyists. Until the Indiana legislature fixes this problem, expect those of us who believe in honest and open government to affix the absolute worst of motives to your actions. The Indiana Chamber of Commerce should be ashamed of itself for taking up this sleazy practice of hiring ex-lawmakers as lobbyists immediately upon their departure.
There's no incentive to fix this because the general public is not paying attention. How many people even know who their state legislator is, what they've voted for, and why they shouldn't become lobbyists. I'm glad you're writing about it, but I don't suspect this is on the top of anyone's list for the next session.
ReplyDeleteon this one corruption knows no political party
ReplyDeleteI think the general public is becoming more aware of this problem. Read Rex Early's book, A Mighty Think Pankcake." You'll find out that the governor admits there's a problem! This has been my pet peeve for a long time. I posted my comments about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://diana-vice.blogspot.com/2008/09/attention-legislators-vampire-alert.html