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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
GUEST COLUMN
Peppin Report - Thousands of lobbyists at the Capitol, but the most important one is YOU!
The 2011 legislative session is well underway with a clear message from Minnesota voters who believe private sector job creation, getting our economy back on track, reforming and reducing government spending and balancing the state budget should be the focus of lawmakers. And with a projected budget deficit of over $6 billion, none of this will be easy.
The gravity of our budget balancing challenge is clearly evidenced by the crowded hallways in the Capitol and State Office Building, where the offices of House members are located. The crowds are caused in large measure by the huge number of professional lobbyists who seek to inform, educate and persuade legislators of the merits of their clients’ positions. But what exactly is a “lobbyist” and what role do they really play in the political process?
Whether we realize it or not, we’re exposed to lobbyists and the practice of lobbying virtually every day. When your son or daughter pleads for the car keys to go shopping with friends, they are lobbying you. If you’ve ever sat down with your boss and made the case for a raise, you were acting as your own lobbyist. The lobbying that takes place at the Capitol may be over different issues, but the process is essentially the same.
According to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the agency that enforces state law regulating the lobbying profession, there are over 1,200 lobbyists registered in Minnesota representing people and groups from A to Z – from the Association of Minnesota Premium Cigar Retailers – to Zurich Insurance Agency.
Webster’s Dictionary defines a lobbyist as “a person, acting for a special interest group, who tries to influence the introduction of or voting on legislation or the decisions of government administrators.” That is an accurate description, and a fair representation of what lobbyists do on a daily basis. However, some in the media paint lobbyists as back-slapping, crooked characters making backroom deals on the big political issues of the day. While that might have been the state of lobbying 50 or 100 years ago, it simply doesn’t happen in Minnesota.
Lobbyists and lobbying are as old as our Republic. In fact, the first amendment to our U.S. Constitution expressly protects “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” In our fast paced, busy world of today, petitioning for a redress of grievances may mean hiring a specialist, a person who can professionally represent your interests. That’s where lobbyists come in.
Do you work for a bank, insurance agency or in financial services? How about as a teacher, college professor, in health care or for local, county or state government? Are you a senior citizen or a motorcycle rider? Are you disabled or a veteran, Are you a member of your local Chamber of Commerce, or belong to a labor union or other trade association? If you’re a plumber, electrician, painter, exterminator, home builder, accountant, farmer, volunteer fire fighter, or work in hundreds of other occupations, it’s highly likely your industry, employer or organization has one or more lobbyists at the Capitol representing your interests.
Lobbyists in Minnesota spend a great deal of time educating legislators, the press, public and state agency personnel on the impact a current, new or proposed law may have on those they represent. They serve as a conduit between those who know what the real impact a new law may have and legislators who work to become knowledgeable in many different issue areas. This education process frequently results in changes that make laws better and more efficient. And while professional lobbyists perform an important role in the legislative process, of much greater importance are the comments, suggestions and input I receive from you, the 47,211 people in the northwest suburbs I have the privilege to represent.
As the legislative session continues, I invite you to visit me in Saint Paul. The Capitol building belongs to you, Minnesota’s most important lobbyists, and my door is always open.
I invite you to contact me with your ideas, concerns and feedback. You can reach me via email at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn or 651.296.7806. U.S. Mail should be sent to Rep. Joyce Peppin, 503 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
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