CA: Lobbyist's outbursts spur calls for reform

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 6/10/03 | Robert Salladay, Christian Berthelsen, Chronicle Sacramento Bureau

[NormsRevenge]

Sacramento -- A prominent Capitol lobbyist and political consultant who used verbal threats and high-pressure tactics to push a bill has Democratic lawmakers demanding new laws to muzzle out-of-control lobbyists.

Despite a looming deadline to pass a state budget, Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson spent nearly two hours Monday trying to soothe angry Democratic lawmakers who feel pushed around by lobbyists, most recently political consultant Richie Ross.

[NormsRevenge]

LA Times

Assembly Panel May Study New Rules for Lobbyists' Behavior

Nancy Vogel

Assembly Speaker Herb J. Wesson Jr. promised Monday to investigate angry tirades by a lobbyist at two lawmakers' staff members last week, and he created a committee to study whether new rules are needed to check the behavior of lobbyists.

[NormsRevenge]

Ping

[NormsRevenge]

Sac Bee

Lobbyists' conduct to get a hard look

Jim Sanders

The controversy began last Thursday when Ross lost his temper, shortly before the Assembly voted on AB 923, and allegedly told top staffers of Assembly Democrats Gloria Negrete McLeod of Chino and Lois Wolk of Davis that he would retaliate if the lawmakers opposed the bill.

[cavtrooper21]

This is something that should be done nation wide!
BAN PAID LOBBYISTS!
Although I'm suprised the Democrats are upset, given the amount of money and favors they often collect from these unelected "representitives"....

[45Auto]

Wesson said he would appoint a special legislative panel to examine the relationship between lobbyists and lawmakers,

Whoopy! How much study is needed to understand the relationship between whores and their "John's"?

[heleny]

I noticed that all these legislators are democrats. Instead of consistently legislating or voting based on principle and responsibility to Californians, the democrats send the message that their votes can be bought for an appropriate sum of money. Their problem isn't with "out-of-control lobbyists" being too intimidating. More often, they are simply haggling over the price for particular votes.

Gray Davis accepts far more bribes campaign contributions from lobbyists than any legislator. It must be really tough for Davis to navigate the "verbal threats and high-pressure tactics" .... On the other hand, maybe it's not hard at all, since he simply listens to whatever they want after his aides negotiate the price.

[budwiesest]

Things are heating up in Sacrafishamento bump!

[NormsRevenge]

The Red Tide is rising. Have ya ever seen so many turds bobbing for dollars in the old manure pond as you see these days?

It is a sad truth that many politicians sell their votes pretty cheap these days.

[hoot2]

"There are groups that have come to expect complete and total obedience.

well dang; it used to be, once you bought a politician, he stayed bought...

[hoot2]

"Whoopy! How much study is needed to understand the relationship between whores and their "John's"? "

lobby = bribe

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Been away for a bit!

calgov2002:

calgov2002: for old calgov2002 articles. 

calgov2002: for new calgov2002 articles. 

Other Bump Lists at: Free Republic Bump List Register

[NormsRevenge]

The fun never stops around here. ;-)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I had to drag myself away to get some food .

And I was getting cabin fever with the lack of sunshine.

Sun finally came out this afternoon for the first time in quite a few days!

Watching Rockefeller on Capital Report......

About to upchuck!

[tubebender]

He worked as chief of staff to then-Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, now the San Francisco mayor, ran the winning campaign for Art Agnos to become the city's mayor in 1987 and then ran Agnos' losing campaign four years later.

Well there you go...Now I remember Itchie Ross from the days when I got the SF Comical.

[budwiesest]

well dang; it used to be, once you bought a politician, he stayed bought...

ROFLMAO!

Anything other than being completely and totally 100 percent for them is viewed as disloyal, and leads to acts of retribution."

Must not be issuing any more passes from the liberal plantation. Say it ain't so.

[budwiesest]

Ross said he felt pressured to get the bill through the Legislature while a Democratic governor was still in place, since those are the only times the UFW has made political gains.

Think the recall effort has something to do with this? My hesitation in support of a recall effort was on the basis of preferring not to appear as spoilsports, allowing the Dems to sleep in the bed they made ('cause I certainly wouldn't want to get in it). However, if one of the spinoffs will be to watch liberal Democrats b*tchslapping one another, then I may reconsider. Pass the popcorn.