Schoeller bill would prohibit public funds for lobbying
Brennan Stebbins
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: State
Legislation filed to prohibit the use of public funds for lobbying won't affect university lobbyists, the bill's sponser says.
State Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) has filed HB 1872 to establish the Fair Influence in Government Act. The bill would prohibit state appropriated funds from being used to hire lobbyists and to influence the passage or defeat of legislation and would subject state agencies in violation to pay a fine of up to $5,000.
"I'm okay with people coming up here with education, but don't ask us to vote yes or no with those taxpayer dollars," Schoeller told The Chart.
Schoeller said university lobbyists would still be able to come to the Capitol and inform legislators of the impact of certain legislation, but would not be allowed to ask lawmakers to vote a certain way.
"We've got a good number of lawmakers who have signed on to the bill so I think it's a good sign that lawmakers understand the importance," Schoeller said.
The representative filed the same bill a year ago after Missouri Department of Transportation employees went to the Capitol to lobby for a specific issue. Schoeller said the employees appeared to be average citizens and were not identified as MODOT employees. Last year, the bill was filed too late in the session for a hearing, however.
"That seemed to be a direct conflict," he said. "Here we have citizens being paid for by the government and being asked to come up here and influence members on particular pieces of legislation."
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman (R-Joplin) is one of 12 cosponsors for the bill, which was heard yesterday by the Special Standing Committee on Government Accountability and Ethics Reform.
Schoeller is more optimistic this session the bill will move forward.
"I compare it to a school with a bonding issue," he said. "They inform the public what the bonding will go to but they aren't allowed to ask members of the public to vote in favor of it.
"They are allowed to educate but they can't advocate."
State Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard) has filed HB 1872 to establish the Fair Influence in Government Act. The bill would prohibit state appropriated funds from being used to hire lobbyists and to influence the passage or defeat of legislation and would subject state agencies in violation to pay a fine of up to $5,000.
"I'm okay with people coming up here with education, but don't ask us to vote yes or no with those taxpayer dollars," Schoeller told The Chart.
Schoeller said university lobbyists would still be able to come to the Capitol and inform legislators of the impact of certain legislation, but would not be allowed to ask lawmakers to vote a certain way.
"We've got a good number of lawmakers who have signed on to the bill so I think it's a good sign that lawmakers understand the importance," Schoeller said.
The representative filed the same bill a year ago after Missouri Department of Transportation employees went to the Capitol to lobby for a specific issue. Schoeller said the employees appeared to be average citizens and were not identified as MODOT employees. Last year, the bill was filed too late in the session for a hearing, however.
"That seemed to be a direct conflict," he said. "Here we have citizens being paid for by the government and being asked to come up here and influence members on particular pieces of legislation."
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman (R-Joplin) is one of 12 cosponsors for the bill, which was heard yesterday by the Special Standing Committee on Government Accountability and Ethics Reform.
Schoeller is more optimistic this session the bill will move forward.
"I compare it to a school with a bonding issue," he said. "They inform the public what the bonding will go to but they aren't allowed to ask members of the public to vote in favor of it.
"They are allowed to educate but they can't advocate."
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