Just another way our corrupt legislature stays in business.

Read Dennis Kostecki's letter published yesterday -
"Unholy Alliance."

If we can't control the lobbyist, then lets control the legislators, our elected officials. They should not be allowed to associate with lobbyists in private or business and no secret meetings at the restaurants. No legislator should be allowed to meet with any lobbyist outside of the legislators government office. Any such meeting, including lunch dates, should be considered immoral and criminal by the legislators.

It's very disgusting that we citizens must have to think of and create laws to force legislators in to some kind of ethical behaviors. While a citizen would have to sit in chambers for several hours to meet with his representatives, a lobbyist just calls and takes the legislator to lunch for a secret 2 hour meeting, outside the eyes of any observers or recorded statements. The cost of the lunch is irrelevant when the impact of secret meetings is the real issue. The important thing is the influence a lobbyist can inflict from special interest businesses, like contractors, developers, and all the other corporations that want a share of the tax funds. These luncheon meeting can consist of a large group with the same special interest with no records of statements.

Ban all corporate donations! Only unions, advocates for the people and those making less than $100,000 per year should be allowed to donate.

Problem is, Who do these People think they work for?
They are Public Servants ( SERVANTS OF THE PUBLIC )
We have a Major Problem with who the real enemy is in Utah.
Judges are corrupt Federal Criminals along with the Prosecutors and the Cops.
The People have no say in Government.
Just ask your Rep. and you will see.

I believe what lobbyists do is very important. If you actually think that ANY law maker has read any bill word for word then you are gravely mistaken.

It is up to the lobbyist to keep our law makers informed of what they are voting for. Your part time lawmakers here in Utah, and our lawmakers in Washington do not have time to read every single item.

What needs to be banned in Utah is the limitless campaign contributions and the money hungry politicians/brain police.

So is a legislator's office not a "private place?" You want observers and recorded statements, but do you think you, or almost anyone else, for that matter, would be allowed into an office up on the Hill while a legislator is talking with a lobbyist? As for recorded statements, those happen in committee hearings, not private offices, unless the legislator is talking to a member of the press. You probably have a better chance of overhearing the conversation in a restaurant.

Also, when did we, the citizenry, think of and create laws to "force legislators into some kind of ethical behaviors?" I'm pretty sure thinking up and making laws is the job of the legislators themselves.

Lobbyists are "important" because they inform the legislators? Well, it's true that it's the lobbyists--not the legislators--who really control the content of many of our laws. The problem is, we end up with a set of laws that strongly favor the lobbyists' clients, usually big businesses. The public's interest is rarely considered. Anyone who tells you differently has never watched the Legislature in action.

So the new disclosure rules reveal what those who understand politics have always know, there is not an overwhelming flurry of high priced lobbying meals happening. Ho humm.

Only the ignorant fear the legislative lobbyists, which represent all sorts of groups which represent all sorts of individuals just like you and me.

Lobbyists are typically on both sides of an issue, and lunch or dinner meetings are just a way to meet given the numerous legislative meetings and the legislators private business and family activities.

And most of them cost less than $25, big deal. Kelly is right, legislators don't really keep track of who buys them a burger and who doesn't.

The bigger problem is the fact that most people don't even try to get to know their legislators. Most Legislators I have known love to spend time with their constituents and 0ften talk to them for hours in person or on the phone without any "need" to buy a meal.

For all of you skeptics, give it a try. Call your legislators and ask to meet. You might be surprised at how responsive they really are.

All Smoke makes a good point that people should get to know their legislators, especially before the session early on, when they aren't being inundated by last minute calls and emails. Bring up your issue. You may even find your representative willing to run a bill to address it.

Meanwhile,is there really any reason that legislators should get expensive meals, golf games, etc from lobbyists? After all, legislators get a salary and a per diem. These special gifts give special access and create a sense of obligation, which is unfair to other constituents.

As for unlimited campaign contributions, I agree completely with Atkinson and many others that this is the real problem. It's ironic that limits are opposed as limiting "free speech" Free? Unlimited contributions are more likely to drown out the speech of those who don't have the means to fund endless campaign ads.

It's not realistic to expect sitting legislators and elected officials to impose these limits on themselves. But voters can take the initiative and rein in these abuses of power. I hope they will.