Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

Jim,

I talked to the Secretary of State's office today - Elections. I had spoken earlier to the AP reporter who had written the story. I asked him if the kind of junket was 'normal.' He said my best bet would be to call Ben Ysursa's office and ask them. He imagined that they would say 'no.' He also got into this he's not taking sides; he is to report, not judge. (Geez, he must not watch cable news!)

So - on to Elections at the Sec. of State's office. I asked her the same question. She said it's not common, but it is done. We also talked a bit about "in-kind" contributions, and the Sunshine law. Somehow, I feel more inclined to go with the AP reporter's estimation that it's rare rather than the Sec. of State's office in thinking she may have misunderstood my question or I might have misunderstood her saying, "it not COMMON, but it is DONE." (emphasizing those two words)

Seems to me if it were all that OK, it would be done more. What do you think?

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

Lots of legislators are given campaign contributions from corporate lobbyists so it is no great leap to accept other things like plane flights. If it is common, and the legislators seem so baffled about how to treat it (a gift, a contribution, just a perk that comes with the job?) they clearly need better rules and more education on their public trust obligations. If the only time they think about it is after a reporter tracks them down, we've got a problem.

I am concerned that the Secretary of State office and the Attorney General don't want to ruffle feathers in the legislature so waiting for a problem like this to be exposed rather than anticipating it seems to be the course of least resistance.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

[I am concerned that the Secretary of State office and the Attorney General don't want to ruffle feathers in the legislature so waiting for a problem like this to be exposed rather than anticipating it seems to be the course of least resistance.]

I don't know about the AG, Jim; I didn't talk to that office. What I'm thinking of doing is visiting both offices on Monday to clarify and find out more. The Sec. of State's office I thot was too demure.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

numberman@safelink.et
Vice Co-Chair
Mini-Cassia Democrates
Minidoka Co.
Sir
How about a potition drive to get something done?

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

Writing letters to the editor might be more effective to point out that even if taking private perks from lobbyists is "business as usual" it should not be tolerated. When standards are written and clear, we can all evaluate whether they have been transgressed. If they are vague and unwritten, then its anyone's guess what is or isn't covered. There is definitely a preference for vagueness in the statehouse.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

These guys at the state level seem to be as ethically challenged as at the federal level. But that's not surprising, I guess. A repuglican is a repuglican is a repuglican, regardless of where or at what level.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

I think it may have more to do with the lack of vigorous competition. States where Democrats have been overwhelmingly dominant and face little competition show the same tendency to confuse public trust with the private ties they build over the years with lobbying interests.

Since this is the time period (ending March 21) where people file to run for office, it would do well for more ordinary citizens to step forward and respond to the obligation to run.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

When we the people participate in our government, we will have a democracy. Fair Elections (public-financed elections) is how to have democracy. The Fair Elections Act S.1292 is in the Senate State Affairs Committee now and has not been considered by that committee. I and others have written to the Senators on that committee, who voted No on the Fair Elections Act last session, asking them to consider the Fair Elections Act this session and send it to the Senate floor with a do-pass. This year they have not even considered the Fair Elections Act.

That my three legislators (district 35: Wood, Barrett, Siddoway) took the flight does not surprise me. Nor do their votes throughout the session surprise me. When Jeff Siddoway writes to us residents of district 35 he says: “There have been a couple of domestic elk bills introduced this year but no action on either one. I own one of those ranches. I don’t support either bill.”

He is not even aware of what the people in district 35 want. How can he know? He does not ask us. He votes for what he wants. His other votes in committee and on the Senate floor are just like the domestic elk bills. And he is much better than either Joan Wood or Lenore Hardy Barrett.

In 2006, Jeff Siddoway ran on $7,000 that he says was his money. He won and Luke Prange lost in 2006. Lenore Hardy Barrett and JoAn Wood ran unopposed in 2006. For that last 10 years or so, they have run unopposed.
I am whining just like everybody else. And I am not running for office. I am part of the problem. Until you or I run for Senator or for Representative, we will not have democracy.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

Nobody ran for Representaive in District 35. I have. Now I am not whining. I am acting.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

I stopped whining. I am a candidate. Go to http://fp1.centurytel.net/democracy/ to learn more.

Re: Breach of public trust baffes legislators

Good job, Calvin! and good luck. You are absolutely right, civic participation is the only way to have our voices heard. Running for the legislature is a big step!