BFRBriefings from the Rotunda Mac Stipanovich says he’s not “particularly bothered” by House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s tough new rules that all but punch the capital’s lobby corps in the mouth. He might be the only one. With every change in leadership, each chamber revises the internal rules governing its conduct, but changes this sweeping — especially as they relate to lobbyists — haven’t been seen in decades. Plenty of professional influencers popped off, albeit anonymously, in text messages after the rules were released in November. “What I take major issue with is trashing ALL lobbyists and accusing us of being the reason legislators are out of control,” said one. Stipanovich, a lobbyist with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, has this to say: Grow up. Take the House rule that increases the ban on former members lobbying their colleagues from two years to six years. “He shoulda made it 60 years,” says Stipanovich, a diehard Republican, #NeverTrump’er, and adviser to then-Secretary of State Katherine Harris during the 2000 presidential vote recount in Florida. What about the rule prohibiting state representatives from flying in aircraft owned, leased, or otherwise paid for by lobbyists? “I don’t own an airplane,” Stipanovich deadpans. “So I think that’s very wise.” 52 | INFLUENCE WINTER 2016 But he doesn’t see the need for another rule that requires lobbyists to file an individual disclosure for every bill, amendment, and individual appropriation they are trying to influence. As an example, “let’s say you go online to see that (a lobbyist for) U.S. Sugar is opposing an amendment to a water bill brought by the Sierra Club,” Stipanovich says. “So? I don’t know that there’s going to be much news there.” But several lobbyists, who didn’t want to be quoted by name, reacted in a range from miffed to irate. “How come no one has the b-lls to ask Corcoran if his House of Transparency is going to carry over to campaigns?” asked one. “... Is he willing to also require lobbyists to disclose every time a House members calls to solicit (a campaign contribution)?” Lobbyists have long served — grudgingly — as a conduit for campaign contributions to candidates, with some shops generating millions in donations from benefactors. Others questioned the effectiveness of another rule that prohibits lobbyists from sending text messages to House members while they sit in committee meetings or on the floor. Why not just “have your client text because they’re not a lobbyist” to get around the rule, a lobbyist asked. Or “firms could set up Twitter accounts and post messages there,” that person added. For instance, “ ‘Amendment 12345 is bad! Vote no.’ ” “It is time that government embodies the very highest of standards and serve citizens and not self,” Corcoran said in a statement when the rules came out. They were endorsed by the incoming Democratic leader, Janet Cruz of Tampa, as well. “The Florida House, in adopting these rules, will take a transformational leap into a new era of accountability, professionalism, transparency, and fairness,” he added. “Those who cannot live up to the highest ethical and professional standards will find the Florida House a difficult place to work or visit.” Other rules would let House members refuse to consider bill amendments on the floor if they are issues of “first impression” that haven’t been vetted through the committee process, and require House members to file separate bills for each budget request they make, such as for hometown projects. Corcoran also has created a new Committee on Public Integrity and Ethics, which will “consider legislation and exercise oversight on matters relating to the conduct and ethics standards of House members, state and local public officials, public employees, lobbyists, and candidates for public office, the regulation of political fundraising and the constitutional prerogatives of the Legislature.” >> continued on pg 54 PHOTO: Mark Wallheiser Photography Florida’s lobbying corps grouses about House Speaker’s new rules
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