A state lawmaker wants to make sure his former colleagues have to wait awhile before taking high-paying jobs as lobbyists.
There are currently no restrictions on how soon a former lawmaker can become a lobbyist at the Capitol. As a result, state Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) says many of them "cross the street" after leaving office, taking jobs with the very special interests they worked with to pass legislation. He says that can create the impression of corruption at the Capitol.
Black is introducing a bill that requires those leaving the Legislature to wait at least a year before they can become a lobbyist. The provision would apply the same guidelines that other state leaders have to follow. The Madison Democrat says the bill would close the "revolving door" of lawmakers leaving the Capitol for high-paying lobbying jobs.
Violators would face fines and jail time.
