Lobbying expenses criticizedState agencies defend using public money By Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, July 27, 2008
COLUMBIA — In the lobby between the stately chambers of the House and Senate, they stand, 200, 300 of them, packed in like freshmen at a frat party. Each waiting, watching with an agenda. They want money. They want say-so. They are power brokers. These are the Statehouse lobbyists, and the salary for about 100 of them is paid for by taxpayers. In 2007, Charleston-area public agencies and organizations sustained, at least in part, by taxpayers were on pace to have spent about $400,000 on lobbying elected officials, according to information from the South Carolina Policy Council, which compiled the most recent data available. The nonpartisan think tank asserts that in 2006 taxpayers spent almost $3 million on publicly financed lobbyists, up 15 percent since 2005. The information is based on disclosure forms filed at the State Ethics Commission and includes national and state lobbying efforts. "Instead of spending public dollars on core functions of government, South Carolina counties, cities and school districts are paying high-powered lobbyists to fight for more public money and thwart accountability and transparency," Bryan D. Cox, the council's communications director, said in a statement. Ask the agencies spending the money on lobbying, and they'll argue dozens of reasons why it's a sound investment, why it makes sense to have someone on hand to answer questions and provide information to part-time legislators. The term "lobbyist" has a bad connotation, but lobbyists function more as advocates or government affairs liaisons, the organizations say. The Medical University of South Carolina spends about $100,000 a year on its "legislative liaisons." MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg said the school uses nonstate funds when possible to pay for its three liaisons, two of whom are full-time. Greenberg also said that MUSC is a $1.7-billion-a-year enterprise that relies on only about 7 percent in state funding. To point to "big wins" to prove the worth would be misleading, Greenberg said. The the liaisons help legislators, for example, address constituent concerns such as referrals for medical care and questions about applications for degree programs. Further, the legislators, who earn $10,400 and work in Columbia just half a year, often need information on short notice, Greenberg said. Since MUSC is about 115 miles from the Statehouse, having the liaisons in the capital also helps guide regulatory and administrative tasks through the government processes, he said. Charleston schools got into a flap in 2006 over hiring a contract lobbyist. That session dealt with high-stakes issues for districts as lawmakers were changing the basis for school funding. At the time, at least three districts had hired lobbyists in addition to the dues paid to advocacy groups, including the S.C. School Boards Association and the S.C. Association of School Administrators. House Majority Leader Jim Merrill of Daniel Island said that he's introduced bills every session to outlaw the practice among agencies or quasi-government groups. Gov. Mark Sanford banned his Cabinet agencies from contracting lobbyists. Merrill said, though, stopping the practice by legislation gets tricky; he hasn't received the needed support, and agencies can slip around a potential law's language. It's common for groups to change the title to reflect a different job description, even if the functions are essentially lobbying, Merrill said. The Charleston County School district does not have a lobbyist per se but hires Clara Heinsohn, director of public affairs and volunteers, to work closely with the local delegation. "I wear a lot of hats, but I am definitely not a lobbyist," she said, adding that she had been to Columbia only twice during the legislative session. Heinsohn said the majority of her time is spent engaging the public in the education process. She also works to keep the delegation apprised of district happenings and its needs. "It's very important that every district develop a relationship with their delegation," said Heinsohn, who previously worked for the Senate Education Committee. "Public education is integral to the community. These are representatives appropriating money." Howard Duvall, executive director of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, views its lobbying efforts as critical. The association spends about $245,000 a year on lobbying, which includes salaries for three staff members and the cost to put on receptions. "Without having people to defend the powers of local elected officials, I think they would be quickly taken away by the General Assembly," Duvall said. For example, he said, the association this year helped influence a new law to offer incentives to get fire sprinklers in more homes and businesses, an effort prompted by last year's Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston. Municipal dues make up less than 7 percent of the association's budget, Duvall said. He also said that lobbyists are banned by the State Ethics Commission from trying to gain influence by providing elected officials with campaign contributions, entertainment, food and drinks or other perks. Lobbyists help the lawmakers learn the difference between good and bad legislation and unintended consequences in a system that takes on about 2,000 bills every two-year session, Duvall said. "Part of the function of the lobbyists is to give accurate, reliable information, to answer the questions of the part-time legislators," he said. The Department of Health and Environmental Control is one state agency that employees lobbyists, spending $37,551 for the first part of 2007. During the last session, an agency lobbyist was able alert lawmakers of the potential impact of a seemingly innocuous bill that would have cost the state an estimated $10 million and required pharmacists be stationed at all county health offices and clinics, said Thom Berry, director of the agency's media relations division. "What we deal in is information, providing information to members of the General Assembly," Berry said. Ashley Landess, president of the Policy Council, does not buy that argument. She said an elected official can get the same information for the good of the state from any local mayor, school board member or agency executive by picking up the phone. "The public needs to be aware," Landess said. "They are paying the salaries of lobbyists who work to convince the General Assembly to spend more money." Lobbying costs The South Carolina Policy Council asserts that taxpayer-funded lobbying cost the state $3 million in 2006, although the impact on the budget is measured in exponential growth because the aim is for the lobbyist to bring more back to the agency or organization. The agencies and organizations argue that the positions are needed, in part, to ensure that accurate and timely information is presented to the part-time Legislature. The following information also includes money spend on lobbying efforts in Washington. The Policy Council released this data for the first five months of 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively: 2007 2006 2005 MUSC: $48,227 $104,808 $103,174 The Citadel: $33,023 $39,702 $51,965 College of Charleston: $0 $31,394 $82,579 Charleston Water System: $15,000 $20,000 $20,000 Berkeley Electric Co-op: $3,501 $17,414 $14,791 Edisto Electric Co-op: $3,655 $8,293 $0 City of Charleston: $44,000 $68,000 $140,000 DEPT. OF HEALTH & eNV.: $37,551 $47,537 $46,393 DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES: $9,414 $15,687 $17,444 S.C. Judicial Department: $55,000 $55,000 $29,167 State Ports Authority: $46,879 $124,772 $115,468 Municipal Association: $124,269 $244,104 $245,997 Association of Counties: $63,589 $97,519 $151,502 School Boards Assoc.: $27,516 $68,237 $69,554 Assoc. of School Admin.: $53,220 $123,635 $97,620 Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 16 comment(s)
Posted by goodkarmasc on July 27, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They are PART of the reason we can't get ANYTHING done in this state and our nation. A pox on ALL "lobbyists". Purge them and let the American people have their government back!
Posted by STREETLAW on July 27, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Government in general is of the few, by the few, and for the few. And because of that there is not an ounce of integrity in the whole political process.
The only way to take the government back is to vote it back. When at least 51 percent of the voters get off their duffs and make their wishes known, you will just have to take what you get and hope to avoid a totalitarian rule if you complain too much.
And if the medias efforts to get Obama elected work out, that may not be far off.
Posted by Thomas1776 on July 27, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"These are the Statehouse lobbyists, and the salary for about 100 of them is paid for by taxpayers."
We have got to take back our government from the criminal tyrants in office, and use the laws they made and break to prosecute them and put them in jail. Jail is the only thing that is going to get things changed. Start with Senator Robert Ford. He will look good in a SCDC monkey suit.
Posted by commonsence on July 27, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article is pure spin and BS. You'd think they were all saints.
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wholly --COW....!!
FIRE IN THE HOLE !!!!
Yvonne!!!....... Have you and David "the SLAYER:" SLADE been holding hands??
Another DYNO --MITE article!!
Of course though....you need to whack a few KNEE CAPS !!!
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legislators .... YOU STINK !!
"..The Medical University of South Carolina spends about $100,000 a year on its "legislative liaisons." ...
Legislative Liasons ??? What ?? L I A S O N S ...!!?? What is going on up there in the BACK ROOM. NOONERS ???? Wholly CONDOMs !!
MUSC ....you mean to tell me that with all the RAX REVENUE that your facility brings into OUR state economy that you dont have a BAT PHONE on Senator McConnell's DESK?? or Bobby Harrell's ?? Son of a LABOTOMY !! MUSC ...you mean that our LEGISLATORS make you BEG to be heard? WHAT GALL ??
GLENN and BOBBY call me ALL the time to get insight on all sorts of ...CRAP; since I'm a taxpayer..after ALL... I am first in LINE !! (FAT CHANCE!!)
If you believe that;.. you need to go down to your lab and see if those PIGS in the formaldehyde have started FLYING!!!
MUSC...you should be ashamed ...this money could be better used at the Ronald McDonald House!
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legislators..... Do you have CELL PHONES?? You are really showing LEADERSHIP!!
Let's talk about leadership...........next in LINE!
THE CITADEL !!!
General..this article exposes conduct UNBECOMING a military officer!! Yes..that's Right...it does!! You mean to tell me that when you speak ......no one listens up at the State HOUSE unless you ....shine their SHOES !!! DO you have ANY LIVE AMMO on that campus at all?? DO you know that the truth in this article makes you look like the LARRY HAGMAN in the movie "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED?? I know you just took COMMAND but the truth is the truth!! First your at Charleston County Council begging for millions and now the truth about your LIASONS??? You SIR get 30 days in the cooler and you have to get down and give the entire CADET ARMY ...100 push ups in FULL DRESS UNIFORM....do I make myself CLEAR!!! You sir ....SHINE no one's shoes UNLESS they are of a HIGHER RANK!! BY ..GOD a Legislator does NOT qualify!! Your CADETS have higher RANK!!
CADETS of the Citadel and Honorable Graduates......Is this how Government is supposed to work?? Is the funds that the taxpayers and tuition generate supposed to be used in this manner?? This is a BLATANT example of Legislative elitism....run Amuk!! I highly suggest QUIET...Reasonable...attentive....respectful.....dutiful.....CONVERSATIONS!!
AND ABOVE ALL ......... ACTION !
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legislators .....YOU STINK
Next UP......... The College of Charleston!
Well at least you didn't SHINE their Shoes in 2007 like "The Citadel" ...DID!!
CofC President..... Is this the right leadership to display to EDUCATE your students?? Answer: NO !!!
I think you need to tighten the belt and review the WASTE!! If your tuition goes UP ...so be it. Heck these MOMs and DADs know that gas is 4 dollars a gallon. If you need to raise some funds; trot on down across to the frat and sorority houses and rouse these coeds out of bed on Saturday Morning and get them to work or give them some BOOTS like the Firemen of OUR city has to do !! Heck ....get the sorority socialites to "freshen UP" and put them on a bus on tuesday Morning and make a suprise visit to the Capital. If these legislators want to be "massaged" then by all means; I'm sure the young ladies will get the full picture on the two hour drive up there!! Those Legislators would more than be receptive to a bus of Ladies than an entire regiment of CADETS!!
GET BUSY ...and stop wasting MONEY!!
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legislators...YOU STINK
Next UP....... UTILITIES!!
This is a blantant display of PAYOLA!!
You "BOYz" do not need any "Liasons"..! All you have to do is cut the power or the water to get attention!!
You have no problem doing it to US taxpayers. Stop wasting MONEY!!!
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Legislators....YOU STINK
Sounds to me like the reason we have so many LOBBYISTS up there in concubine MODE.... is that YOU can't do the HONORABLE and ETHICAL thing.
Next UP.........MAYOR RILEY!! (City of Charleston)
MAYOR....... Uh oh!! I'm sure that "Some" ..."Some" representation "MAY" need to be present at certain times due to the international presence of OUR PORT and its IMPACT throughout the STATE; but this looks like PAYOLA!
You need to seriously review......and review AGAIN. (HOW MUCH ARE FIRE HOSES?)
Posted by zoomru on July 27, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TP.....
Nacho Cheese.... COMBOs !!
Posted by carolinadude on July 27, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the above concensus that taxpayer funded lobbying is about public corruption. WE NEED ETHICS REFORM NOW!! Throw the rascals out in Novemeber! We the people defeated a significant number of incumbents in the primaries this season but far too many of those lawmakers who remain in Columbia are the "long term intrenced incumbents" who've learned to play the political system in order to keep their seats! THROW THE RASCALS OUT IN NOVEMBER!!
Posted by zoomru on July 28, 2008 at 4:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chrispia.....
Check this FRAUD waiting to happen.....
http://www.goupstate.com/article/2008072...
Just like the FIVE RIVERS DEBACLE...
Who is this MARY BLACK and her foundation? Who did she "massage" to get this pork coming her way? NOW ...she is the middle WOMAN between the CIYT and some Legislator??
This CRAP is nuts!! She gets to take a piece of cheese in between?? If the funds are donations; then that is a horse of a different COLOR!!
Posted by zoomru on July 28, 2008 at 4:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Chrispia...
Also..... Who paid for this PARTY?...
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/4731...
Posted by goodgeorge on July 28, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Your story refers to the SC Policy Council as a nonpartisan think tank. In all proper fairness, you might also mention that the council takes a far right approach to many matters, including a clear dislike for public schools by supporting the NY Howard Rich-backed proposal to spend taxpayer money for private schools; and, opposition to cigarette tax increases (check out and write a story about how many "contributions" the council gets from big tobacco). I'm not interested in debating use of tax money for lobbying purposes, just a proper approach to identifying groups who release studies which may be anything but nonpartisan.
Posted by bigwhip on July 28, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With all the money we (tax payers) spend on lobbyists coupled with the nearly $32 mil doled out to "grants", wow, what improvements we could make with such minor items such as roads, schools, and bridges. Our legislature stinks at best.