Sacia Explains Lawmaking
2 comments July 24th, 2008
Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica, used his weekly column (distributed to local newspapers) to explain lawmaking …
“Pork barrel” spending, “pay to play” opportunities, lobbyists and their relationship to legislators – how does it all play out and what does becoming “one of them” really mean? These are issues that are often brought up to me but seldom really understood. I hope I can help with that understanding.
“Pork barrel” projects are projects in a legislator’s district chosen by him or her to receive state funding. The purpose is to benefit residents of the district, but abuses by some have given an unpleasant connotation to the entire system. An example that is often cited is the now infamous “bridge to nowhere” in Alaska, federally funded by request of one of their congressmen. Here’s the rest of the story: Our federal government grants our federal legislators “earmarks”. That is their term for pork barrel. Our Congressman, Don Manzullo, has been very dutiful in ensuring any project he secures “earmark” funding for is highly meritorious. Don has contacted me each year since I took office to ensure money being distributed in his congressional district is needed. That’s just how it should work.
State legislators like me are granted “member initiative” monies for local projects. In my time in office I have only received an allocation once, and that is this year. Every dime of the funding I secured went to desperately-needed infrastructure improvements in Milledgeville (sewer and water), Lena (sewer and water), Forreston (sewer and water), Pecatonica (sewer and water), East Dubuque (sewer and water) and Apple River (fire station).
Why have I only received funding once? It’s the Governor’s decision. Prior to this year, he only granted “member initiative” money to Democrat Legislators. This year, he chose to give only to Republican House members. You can read into that anything you choose.
Legislation to ban “pay to play” politics in our state is currently sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. Simply put, “pay to play” is the trading of state jobs or contracts for campaign contributions. The Governor has received more than $200,000 in campaign contributions this year alone from companies that have contracts with the state.
We all hope he signs the bill into law very soon which will stop this very controversial practice.
Lobbyists are ranked by most people at the bottom of the employment scale. The Tony Rezko situation and other similar cases have attached a sleaze factor to what, for the most part, is an honorable profession. During the months of April and May, it is not uncommon for us to act on as many as 100 bills a day. Lobbyists are a huge asset in providing us factual information on many issues. I truly appreciate the hard work so many of them put into making sure we are educated.
Becoming “one of them” – Shortly after I was first elected I was told by many “don’t become ‘one of them’”. There are 118 State Representatives each representing 105,000 citizens and what a diverse group we are. Our views range from ultra-liberal to ultra-conservative and include everything in between. We represent all ethnic groups. Each of us worked hard to get elected and each of us is very proud of our unique district. I can never become any of them, and they can never be me.
