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Lobbying bill fuels fire

Skeptics say measure implies they're 'crooks'

April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 1, 2006 at midnight

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Tempers flared Tuesday during a three-hour hearing for a bill aimed at increasing scrutiny of lobbying at the state Capitol.

Lawmakers from both parties said the measure basically leads an already skeptical public to believe legislators and lobbyists are out to serve their own interests.

"This is one of a number of bills we get up here every year that implies we all are crooks," said Rep. David Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.

The House State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee voted 6-5 for the measure by Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, after a testy debate.

"No one is on trial here," said Carroll. "The more we keep what lobbyists do a secret, the more we fuel the public's perception and distrust."

The renewed push to rein in lobbyists comes in wake of a Washington, D.C., scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty last month to corruption charges.

House Bill 1149 would require lobbyists to disclose bills they are working on and whether they have a financial relationship with the lawmakers carrying the bill.

It also would have barred public officials and lawmakers becoming lobbyists for at least a year after they leave office, but a bipartisan vote killed that provision.

Rep. Fran Coleman, D-Denver, voted against HB l149, contending current laws are adequate.

Republicans claimed a victory when the committee also passed an amendment by Rep. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, to ban lobbyists from raising campaign funds or acting as campaign managers.

"It curbs the culture of corruption at the very beginning so you don't become beholden to someone who ran a campaign for you," said House Minority Leader Joe Stengel, R-Littleton.

Carroll accused Cadman of altering her bill with a "spoof amendment" meant to "poison and kill" the measure. Cadman, in turn, demanded an apology.