MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Former Wisconsin lawmakers would be prohibited from becoming lobbyists for at least a year after they leave office under a bill introduced by a bipartisan group of 40 state lawmakers.
At least 34 other states already have what’s known as a “revolving door prohibition” on legislators immediately registering as lobbyists, according to the National Council of State Legislatures.
The Wisconsin bill, authored by Republican Sen. Duey Stroebel and Democrat Rep. Dana Wachs, is identical to a proposal the two pushed last session that received a hearing but was never taken up for a vote.
“There’ve been torrents of money and influence pouring into our Capitol as well as Washington,” Wachs said Friday. “If we’re going to have a republic, we have to make sure there are some safeguards in place.”
Wachs said state law prohibits state employees and officials from becoming lobbyists within a year but doesn’t impose the same restriction on lawmakers. That means a lawmaker could begin lobbying their former colleagues on behalf of private companies and organizations within days of leaving office.
“People can leave office on a Monday and by Tuesday or Wednesday become a lobbyist,” Wachs said.
Under the bill, violators would be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for each lobbying client or instance of lobbying. Individuals who intentionally violate the rule face up to a year in prison and a fine.
At least two Republican lawmakers have quickly transitioned to lobbying in recent years. In 2014, then-Sen. Joe Leibham resigned from his seat and registered as a lobbyist for several private companies and organizations. He is currently registered to lobby for 23 organizations including American Express, General Motors, the Wisconsin Early Autism Project and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wisconsin.
In 2013, former state Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald registered as a lobbyist within a week of leaving office after a failed bid for a U.S. Senate seat. Fitzgerald, the younger brother of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, is registered to lobby for 13 organizations including School Choice Wisconsin and Alliant Energy.
Jeff Fitzgerald and Leibham did not immediately return messages.
Government watchdog organizations have long pushed for such a measure. Common Cause Wisconsin, a nonprofit headed by Jay Heck, has advocated for a one-year cooling off period since 1997. He said not doing so gives the appearance that lawmakers trade in their positions to cash in as lobbyists.
“It never got anywhere because legislators always made the argument, ’Well, what else would we do?’” Heck said. But he’s encouraged that lawmakers from both ends of the political spectrum have signed onto this session’s bill.
Wachs had previously introduced a bill that would impose a two-year waiting period last session, but reduced it to one year after teaming up with Stroebel. Stroebel did not immediately return a message.
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