Voters should be top priority

It's not surprising, really, that paid lobbyists stand a better chance of communicating with a Utah legislator than do an average Joe or Jane. Many are paid handsomely to make those contacts and pitch their particular client's point of view, so they'll go the extra mile to urge various elected officials to do a good turn for their special interest.

They tend to cluster in the hallways outside committee rooms and the House and Senate chambers, preparing to pounce when opportunity lends itself. Constituents, meanwhile, likely don't have the time to cool their heels outside legislative chambers for the chance opportunity to talk to their representatives, unless they are sufficiently motivated to bend their legislator's ear.

In 2005, shouldn't there be a more effective means for constituents to talk their respective lawmakers? Should lawmakers, while in the business of making laws, be so isolated from the public? The answers to these questions are obvious.

Less clear is what lawmakers are going to do about this communication problem. Some private citizens fear that communication may worsen once the renovation of the state Capitol is completed in 2008. Then, tunnels will connect the House and Senate office buildings to the Capitol. All lawmakers will have private offices, which will be tucked away in an area closed to the public except by invitation.

There's always e-mail, right? That's problematic, too, because lawmakers are often deluged with mass e-mail campaigns throughout the legislative session. It becomes impossible, from a time-management perspective, to extract messages from individuals opposed to the onslaught of e-mail that comes from orchestrated efforts.

What are constituents to do? After all, their votes placed respective elected representatives in office. Don't they deserve as much or perhaps more consideration than aggressive advocates or paid lobbyists?

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, co-chairman of the Legislative Process Committee, says he's aware of a number of complaints regarding the public's — and lobbyists' — access to lawmakers. As such, committee is looking into ways to enhance the Legislature's communication with the public.

With the Legislature in recess, with the exception of monthly interim committee meeting days, this would be a good time to bend your legislators' ears about the issue of access and other matters of concern. A complete legislative directory is available at www.le.state.ut.us. The House of Representatives can also be reached by telephone at 538-1029, and the Utah Senate's telephone number is 538-1035. Calls are accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

It seems lawmakers understand that access is a problem. For the good of the lawmaking process and to better serve constituents who may need their lawmakers' help on occasion, it is in everyone's best interest to help the Legislature devise a better means to communicate with the public. We urge all Utahns to be part of that solution.