Louisville Courier Journal Notices That In Kentucky, You "Pay (A Lot) To Play". And We Wonder Why Kentucky Is Full Of UNBRIDLED CORRUPTION. *SIGH*.
Pay (a lot) to play
That's what state government needs — another reminder that big money buys primo access.
Latest case in point: this summer's National Conference of State Legislatures, to be held in Louisville.
Some background: In March, Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo sent letters to lobbyists, employers of lobbyists and members of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, as well as others, asking for conference sponsorship contributions of up to $75,000. Compliance with the state ethics law — lobbyists can't contribute to state legislative candidates; lawmakers can't target only lobbyists when asking for money for causes other than their campaigns — was checked out before they sent the letter. The verdict on asking money from lobbyists and others to help fund the big confab: legal.
A story in Saturday's Courier-Journal quoted Robert Sherman, director of the Legislative Research Commission, as saying, “I think that those that contribute do so for the purpose of having their name associated with a fairly substantial and substantive civic event.”
Well, that's one interpretation.
But there also is this one, as voiced by Richard Beliles, chairman of Common Cause of Kentucky, in the same news article: “Sponsorships sell access; the more you pay the more access you get. That access, I believe, will cost the general public in Kentucky.”
There are benefit packages for big contributors, starting with $5,000 and topping out at $75K.
The top-end kind of money buys prominent display of company logos and banners at conference events. It buys invitations to events with conference leaders, a complimentary booth at the exhibit hall and other goodies.
Who has that kind of money? Who can afford such price tags to “underwrite” the conference?
Not sick kids and poor old people.
Maybe they ought to show up on the sidewalks outside the conference for their shot at access.
That's what state government needs — another reminder that big money buys primo access.
Latest case in point: this summer's National Conference of State Legislatures, to be held in Louisville.
Some background: In March, Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo sent letters to lobbyists, employers of lobbyists and members of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, as well as others, asking for conference sponsorship contributions of up to $75,000. Compliance with the state ethics law — lobbyists can't contribute to state legislative candidates; lawmakers can't target only lobbyists when asking for money for causes other than their campaigns — was checked out before they sent the letter. The verdict on asking money from lobbyists and others to help fund the big confab: legal.
A story in Saturday's Courier-Journal quoted Robert Sherman, director of the Legislative Research Commission, as saying, “I think that those that contribute do so for the purpose of having their name associated with a fairly substantial and substantive civic event.”
Well, that's one interpretation.
But there also is this one, as voiced by Richard Beliles, chairman of Common Cause of Kentucky, in the same news article: “Sponsorships sell access; the more you pay the more access you get. That access, I believe, will cost the general public in Kentucky.”
There are benefit packages for big contributors, starting with $5,000 and topping out at $75K.
The top-end kind of money buys prominent display of company logos and banners at conference events. It buys invitations to events with conference leaders, a complimentary booth at the exhibit hall and other goodies.
Who has that kind of money? Who can afford such price tags to “underwrite” the conference?
Not sick kids and poor old people.
Maybe they ought to show up on the sidewalks outside the conference for their shot at access.
Labels: Keeping them honest, News reporting, Unbridled arrogance
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 11:11 AM
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