Utah lobbyists required to wear badges at Capitol

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Utah lobbyists required to wear badges at Capitol
By MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press | August 1, 2014 | Updated: August 1, 2014 12:07pm

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lobbyists at Utah's Capitol became marked people on Friday, as a new law went into effect requiring them to wear a badge bearing their name and the word "lobbyist" as they try to influence public officials.

They also must disclose who they're working for before advocating in person or by phone or email.

Lawmakers say the requirements will let them know who they're dealing with. Lobbyists counter that the badges are unnecessary because they already disclose who they work for.

Fourteen other states require lobbyists to wear badges, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. About half a dozen other states offer lobbyist badges but don't require them to be displayed.

The Utah lieutenant governor's office, where lobbyists must register, expects to hand out about 100 badges during the next few months to be worn at a handful of meetings before the next legislative session in January.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Utah-lobbyists-required-to-wear-badges-at-Capitol-5662713.php

[Swede Atlanta]

1. I'm still not a big fan of the political influence of the Mormon Church in Utah but.....

this is a very good development. It is important that the individual have to walk around and be physically and visually identified as a lobbyist. It will give the public visiting the Capitol a good idea of just how many thieves there are walking the halls of their state government.

I heard as well a report that the issue of illegal immigration is muted in Utah. Utah allows undocumented "residents" of the state to get in-state tuition and as well they issue driver's licenses to these individuals. The vitriol over this issue appears to be subdued in the state compared to states like Texas and Arizona. Many credit the strong influence of the Mormon Church.

Trust me I am not saying happy, happy on the Mormon Church. As a gay man I abhor the fact they pumped millions into a failed attempt to stop marriage equality in California. As a Christian, I consider them a cult and not a religion but that is purely a personal opinion.

[grahamhgreen]

2. This is fantastic! We need this in DC.

[Enrique]

3. here's info for all the states:

http://www.ncsl.org/research/ethics/50-state-table-badges-for-lobbyists.aspx

[No Vested Interest]

4. Sounds good to me.

Of course, the lobbyists don't want to wear them.
Their "Scarlet A".

[BeeBee]

5. Not a fan of Utah, but I like this law. n/t

[PSPS]

6. The need to "donor decal" the legislators in sizes related to their "campaign contribution" (bribe)

[Evergreen Emerald]

7. Badges? Badges?

We don't need no stinking badges!

[Cryptoad]

8. CAn they still carry unlimited amounts of Cash on their strolls thru teh Capitol???? nt

[christx30]

9. Ban them from batheing.

How much political influence can one have if he or she hasn't showered in 4 weeks? Keep them honest.