Iowa 1 of 3 states praised for strict 'revolving-door' laws prohibiting lawmakers from lobbying
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska state officials who want to profit off their government experience and connections after leaving office face virtually no obstacles in becoming lobbyists, unlike most other states — including Iowa — that bar their leaders from immediately switching roles, according to a new national report.
Nebraska is among seven states with no restrictions on former lawmakers, governors or other elected officials working to influence their former colleagues, according to the analysis by Public Citizen, a consumer-rights advocacy group.
The result is clear during the legislative session, when on most days, a dozen or so senators-turned-lobbyists gather outside the chamber, ready to talk with lawmakers about bills that could help or hurt their clients. Nebraska also stands in sharp contrast to neighboring Iowa, which Public Citizen praised for having one of the nation's toughest "revolving door" laws.
"These folks were elected to serve the public. They're not elected to serve private interests," said Jack Gould, issues chairman of Common Cause Nebraska, a group that has fought for years to impose so-called revolving door restrictions. "For them to immediately leave office and sell their experience and connections to the highest bidder is not in the public interest."
Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/28/state-lobbyists-iowa-1-3-states-praised-strict-revolving-door-laws/1852999001/
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