Yesterday's blog introduced what would amount to the deregulation of the lobbyist. What if we went the other direction, and regulated influence peddling more?
A lobbyist in Utah is defined as a person who receives money from an entity in order to persuade public officials concerning legislation. They have to file reports on how much money they spend of public officials.
Surprisingly -- to me -- the entities are also required to file financial disclosures if they spend the money on the public officials without funneling it through a lobbyist. Not knowing much, I am guessing this is not commonly done -- not commonly complied with -- and not commonly enforced.
But, what if it were enforced? What if we had a law that said anyone who has given anything to a legislator, whether it be campaign contribution or just a gift, who then seeks to influence legislation, must file a report detailing their contribution.
Of the top, I don't like this idea, simply because I tend to go against regulation and government control. But, I will think on it, and perhaps be persuaded it might be a good thing.
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