Notwithstanding the affection for the proposed prohibitions, the legislation is doomed for a number of reasons. Because there is no inherent gain, few lobbyists will risk political capital to publicly support the measure. While local officials enjoy the banter of politics, they do not want to undertake the grunt work lobbyists perform — monitoring legislation, attending committee hearings and saying nice things to legislators outside their jurisdiction. Also, a ban against utilizing outside professionals could create a disproportionate advantage for the larger local government entities with full-time staff to execute lobbying activities, an option unavailable to smaller municipalities.

To their credit, Jenkins and the UTA have shed light on the discomfort many have towards the "Wild West" environment at the Capitol. Regardless of profession or skill, every employed Utahn is subject to oversight and the receipt of grievances for unethical/unprofessional conduct — except lobbyists. So long as it pays the $25 filing fee, an amoeba can conduct business as a lobbyist without any supervision. This is no small omission, as many state laws and local ordinances are usually the result of negotiations between hired consultants. In the interest of public safety, the state regulates barbers, marriage counselors and shorthand reporters. Lobbyists play a key role in our representative democracy but need to conform to some standards and code of conduct.

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Republican LaVarr Webb was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. He now is a political consultant and lobbyist. E-mail: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. A former candidate for Salt Lake mayor, Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as House minority leader. Pignanelli's spouse, D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is executive director of the state Department of Administrative Services in the Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. administration. E-mail: frankp@xmission.com.