It's our own house, but it feels like we've been locked out.
I thought it was bad enough that lobbyists could camp out at legislators' doors. Now, it seems they want to move in permanently and have their own space just for themselves inside the Utah State Capitol building. It's one thing to court a legislator, it's another thing to move in.
So much for the people's house.
The State Preservation Board that oversees the Capitol building is considering renting space to a group of lobbyists for an office in the state Capitol. It would provide easier access for lobbyists and "a place to hang out." Lobbyists already have more influence than the average citizen who has no time to spend waiting to see legislators and no place to hang out. Who represents the citizens? There is no lobby for them. They are on their own. The head of the Preservation Board said, "Lobbyists are part of the game." Well, it looks like an uneven playing field and the score is 10 for the lobbyists and zip for the taxpayers.
The public's clamor for reform because of the growing influence of money in legislative elections and policymaking seems to fall on deaf ears. Now we have lobbyists ready to pay $37,000 a year for office space at the state Capitol. On the other hand, taxpayers who can barely afford to pay for their own mortgage are at a disadvantage in having access to lawmakers, even though they own and paid for the Capitol building and its renovation. It doesn't make sense. Where does it end?
One would think with the constant call for ethics reform by taxpayers, legislators would get the message. And don't expect lobbyists to show restraint. Their current move to rent office space shows their disregard for the public's interest. Most of us would hope that legislators would not even think of permitting such action, especially at this time when trust in their commitment to the public is so low that citizens are taking it upon themselves to circulate an initiative on ethics reform. If policymakers were to allow renting such space to lobbyists, it would make efforts at ethics reform appear hypocritical and an affront to taxpayers.
The head of the board has expressed concern that nonprofit groups are being "locked out" because of cost. Though board policy allows for renting space, there is no other office space available except that which the lobbyists wish to rent. I wonder if they might consider renting space to a citizen to put up a kiosk in the rotunda, or a lounge with computers and place for citizens to hang out, the same as lobbyists? At least in the "old days" there was a tattered green leather couch on the third floor where anyone could get off his or her feet for a moment — first come first serve. And it was free.
Let's hope that clearer heads will prevail and make "the people's house" a place where average citizens are welcome and have the same opportunity to meet with lawmakers regardless of their station in life. Our government was designed so that the people would have a voice in how they should be governed, not dependent on how much money they had, as it appears more and more these days. Policymakers should not let money determine who can use public space; they ought to encourage public participation in their government, rather than letting special interest groups do so even more.
Take down the " For Rent" sign and put up the one that says, "Public Welcome."
A Utah native, John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations; been on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch; served on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards; and filled White House appointments, including deputy assistant secretary of labor and as a member of the commission on Hispanic education. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net.