Sept. 1 begins a 30-day comment period on a new rule that would allow lobbyists to hand out literature outside the legislative chamber and committee rooms, but members of the public would not be allowed to do so. Instead, private citizens would be relegated to the main entrance of the West Building.
Supporters of the plan have said they fear excessive noise and other disruptions that would be created by an excessive number of public residents standing in the hallways handing out literature. Some opponents to the proposed rule think the idea to limit access goes back to the 2006 session, when a group of people pushing for funds for a dental program for low-income senior citizens and the disabled handed out pictures of decaying teeth.
That doesn’t sound appetizing, but neither does the idea of limiting access — which is what this really is.
Paid lobbyists are essential in today’s government. Whether that’s right or fair is a point for debate, but it’s the reality nonetheless.
But the public shouldn’t be relegated to third-class status. Members of the public deserve access to their elected lawmakers. Legislators do, after all, work for the people and not vice versa.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has been quoted as saying that the state can count on being sued if the public doesn’t get the same access as lobbyists.
Shurtleff is right.
The Legislature shouldn’t restrict access to the public. The public is, after all, really supposed to be the people in charge.