New lobbying rule has cooling off period before lawmakers could become lobbyists

A rule that would make elected officials wait two years before lobbying is getting mixed reviews.

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently unanimously approved the rule, which would also apply to agency heads.

The rule will take effect if the Legislature does not act by the end of the session. But the Legislature could also disapprove of the rule.

It comes at a time when more and more lawmakers, many who have termed out, are moving to lobbying their former colleagues as a way to make a living.

Some former lawmakers have gone on to hold prominent positions in state government.

Former Tulsa Republican House member Dan Sullivan runs the Oklahoma Grand River Dam Authority, which is a non-appropriated entity.

Oklahoma Ethics Commission Executive Director Ashley Kemp said the rule expands upon a concept already found in the state constitution that makes lawmakers wait two years before going to work for an agency that receives state appropriations.

The prohibition was in part to prevent lawmakers from creating a position and then taking it.

Policy makers and agency heads have wired around the prohibition by getting posts that are paid for with federal and other non-appropriated dollars, such as fees.

Former Senate Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, went to work as Gov. Mary’ Fallin’s Secretary of State after leaving the Legislature. The position was funded with fees. Coffee is now in private practice.

The expanded rule would prohibit policy makers from using their positions to benefit themselves, Kemp said.

“It also serves to ensure state officers and employees always keep the state of Oklahoma and the interests of the citizens as the priority,” Kemp said.

Kemp said the rule was not aimed at any particular individual.

Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, supports the rule. He is a former teacher.

He said once he leaves offices, he can’t go back to teaching if it is funded with state dollars.

“We have got legislators who had not been out of office six months and we are appointing them to all these things,” Dossett said.

Sen. Josh Brechheen, R-Coalgate, also likes the idea. He has decided not to seek re-election.

He said it ensures that merit is the driver in the decision-making process and not friendship held over from prior years.

Likewise, Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, said the rule would help avoid the appearance of impropriety. But he also understands that those hiring lobbyists want the most experienced person in the job.

He said the rule seems reasonable.