With the opening of the legislative session this past week, the number of lobbyists descending upon the state Capitol has increased exponentially.
Some of them are familiar faces. A significant number of former legislators make up part of the lobbyist corps. One state Senator from south Oklahoma City says lawmakers ought to wait at least two years before working the legislative halls for votes.
Sen. Debbe Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City, wants to make ex-legislator-lobbyists work under the same rules as state government employees. Legislators who leave elected office can't go to work for the government for at least two years.
"Perception is everything," said Sen. Leftwich. "I think it just looks wrong when someone leaves in November and is back out here within a few months lobbying their former colleagues. I believe my legislation would increase the public's confidence and trust in the fact that current members are looking out for their districts -- not on the look-out for future lobbying jobs."
We think her legislation, SB 847, has merit. It never got a committee hearing this past session, but it should have. The moratorium is good policy and should be supported by both sides of the aisle. Senators have until Feb. 18 to move it out of committee.
