Nearly six months after approving a budget that included $45,000 for a state lobbyist, the Haines Borough has posted an advertisement for a firm or individual to represent the municipality’s interests and influence the Alaska Legislature.
But two borough assembly members are questioning the wisdom of the expenditure in an era of diminished state spending.
Assembly member Tresham Gregg said he realized the previous assembly authorized the expenditure during the budget cycle, but said he is worried it will be a waste of money in the current fiscal climate.
Gregg said he’d rather see a “creative solution” like sending a group of concerned residents to approach the legislature and administration. “I’m not sure that a single lobbyist is going to be able to” be effective, he said.
In an interview after the meeting, assembly member Ron Jackson said he has been opposed to the lobbyist from the beginning. “I think chances of us getting any money out of this legislature because of a lobbyist’s work are pretty slim. This is a gamble, very similar to cutting the cruise ship dock fees and hoping for some more ships that wouldn’t have already come. It is a $45,000 gamble at a time when we really should be careful what we spend money on,” Jackson said.
Other assembly members disageed. Assembly member Diana Lapham said a lobbyist will be able to work with Mayor Jan Hill to “hit the legislature hard” with funding requests for critical projects.
“We have to try this. We really have to try this. That money is not going to come if we’re not down there constantly pushing the legislators,” Lapham said.
Assembly member Mike Case reluctantly agreed.
“It really galls me that the lobbyists are so effective. They are effective because of the ‘good old boy’ network, but they are effective,” Case said. “If we don’t (hire one), we’re going to be behind the eight ball. I wish it weren’t so, but it is so.”
According to the request for proposals posted by the borough this week, the lobbyist will receive direction from the assembly via the manager. He or she will be required to provide weekly written reports including contacts and progress made on behalf of the borough.
The lobbyist will be required to travel to Haines to meet with the Mayor, assembly and staff once a year.
The contract will be for one year, with an option for extension.
Last January, manager David Sosa hired former Haines Rep. Bill Thomas for $5,000 to help put together the borough’s legislative project “wish list” and to advise the municipality on lobbying efforts.
The assembly cut a $43,200 federal lobbyist position in 2014 at the suggestion of interim manager Julie Cozzi, who proposed using those funds to go toward the salary of a community and economic development director. That position has been vacant since June.