Thursday, December 13, 2007
SWOP homepageABQ Journal Editorial: Draw a Line Between Lobbying, Campaigning
Read the great commentary over at M-pyre.
Read the editorial on the Journal site.
Too many of New Mexico's top politicians are too comfortable in the company of lobbyists whose client lists are built on the cozy relationships.
The politicians even turn for help with their campaigns to the lobbyists— a testimonial to their ability to influence— yet assert they are immune to the lobbyists' persuasive powers.
Mayor Martin Chávez, for example, could not be swayed by his former Senate campaign manager Mark Fleisher, according to Fleisher. Perhaps political advice would be an exception, otherwise why hire him?
So, where is the line between the fine art of influencing and advising? Are there city issues that are devoid of politics? Perhaps. But the use of tax increment development districts— something that affects plans to build out the Atrisco Land Grant on the West Side— isn't one of them.
Chávez vetoed a City Council constraint on use of the TIDD financing mechanism for developments like that proposed by SunCal, the California company that bought out Westland. Campaign manager Fleisher's day job is with a powerhouse lobbying firm, Butch Maki & Associates, that represents SunCal.
It looks bad. Even though most observers could have predicted the Chávez veto if he had never met Fleisher. His views and past actions were consistent with his veto pen.
Similar relations between Gov. Bill Richardson and the firm's principal, Butch Maki, look bad. The Maki firm launched with the inauguration of Richardson, for whom Maki worked during his tenure in the U.S. House. Maki quickly built an impressive list of clients. Maki also has been active in Richardson's presidential campaign.
But any question that those clients hired Maki to influence state government action that affects their interests elicits the same response: Richardson makes up his own mind. Lobbyists, even those with long, close relationships with Richardson, have no influence.
Now the familiar refrain comes from the Chávez camp. It's believable— if you can believe that a roster of successful companies are being suckered by lobbyists, instead of the suckers being voters with little access.
Read the editorial on the Journal site.
Too many of New Mexico's top politicians are too comfortable in the company of lobbyists whose client lists are built on the cozy relationships.
The politicians even turn for help with their campaigns to the lobbyists— a testimonial to their ability to influence— yet assert they are immune to the lobbyists' persuasive powers.
Mayor Martin Chávez, for example, could not be swayed by his former Senate campaign manager Mark Fleisher, according to Fleisher. Perhaps political advice would be an exception, otherwise why hire him?
So, where is the line between the fine art of influencing and advising? Are there city issues that are devoid of politics? Perhaps. But the use of tax increment development districts— something that affects plans to build out the Atrisco Land Grant on the West Side— isn't one of them.
Chávez vetoed a City Council constraint on use of the TIDD financing mechanism for developments like that proposed by SunCal, the California company that bought out Westland. Campaign manager Fleisher's day job is with a powerhouse lobbying firm, Butch Maki & Associates, that represents SunCal.
It looks bad. Even though most observers could have predicted the Chávez veto if he had never met Fleisher. His views and past actions were consistent with his veto pen.
Similar relations between Gov. Bill Richardson and the firm's principal, Butch Maki, look bad. The Maki firm launched with the inauguration of Richardson, for whom Maki worked during his tenure in the U.S. House. Maki quickly built an impressive list of clients. Maki also has been active in Richardson's presidential campaign.
But any question that those clients hired Maki to influence state government action that affects their interests elicits the same response: Richardson makes up his own mind. Lobbyists, even those with long, close relationships with Richardson, have no influence.
Now the familiar refrain comes from the Chávez camp. It's believable— if you can believe that a roster of successful companies are being suckered by lobbyists, instead of the suckers being voters with little access.
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The FBI used to go after these kind of politicians. Wonder if they are too busy doing other things.
# posted by 
: 1:50 PM
: 1:50 PM
How can anyone believe that Butch Maki has no influence on Richardson. These issues with regard to Intel and TIDD's in ABQ and Helena Chemical and TIDD's in Dona Ana all have a common denominator and that is Butch Maki. Wheres Butch now, Iowa, New Hampshire. who's with him, NM Environment Secretary Curry? I wonder who else that Maki has influence over is with the Gov. on his campaign. Serious questions to consider SWOP.
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