Lobbyists shell out $1.42 million in 7 months at state Legislature
By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Special interests hoping to influence lawmaking in Hawai'i reported spending at least $1,427,233 on lobbying activities during the seven months before the start of the new year.
Following are the 20 organizations that reported spending the most money lobbying Hawai'i lawmakers during the seven months that ended Dec. 31, 2002. The expenditures reflect time that paid advocates met with legislators, as well as expenses for food, entertainment and lobbying materials.* • $115,993 — Western States Petroleum Association • $99,657 — Unity House Inc. • $86,333 — Honolulu Board of Water Supply • $63,352 — Hawai'i Government Employees Association • $60,981 — The Kamehameha Schools • $56,380 — Ko Olina Community Association • $53,892 — Chevron USA Inc. • $46,400 — Legislative Information Services Inc. • $42,585 — National Federation of Independent Business • $40,500 — Hawai'i Pacific Health • $40,336 — North West Cruiseship Association • $39,062 — State Farm Insurance • $30,827 — Outrigger Enterprises Inc. • $29,389 — Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association • $27,985 — Pacific Resource Partnership • $27,888 — Hawai'i Farm Bureau Federation • $25,000 — Hawai'i Financial Services Association • $23,004 — Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America • $21,500 — Maximus Inc. • $20,296 — American Council of Life Insurers * Not all groups that are required to file a lobbying expenditure report with the state Ethics Commission had done so by the close of business yesterday. The reports were required to be postmarked by midnight to avoid possible penalties. Source: Hawai'i Ethics Commission
Among the biggest spenders were oil companies, which have said they hope to avoid increased regulation and repeal the controversial gasoline price cap the Legislature approved last year.
Top 20 spenders in Legislature
A group backed by developers seeking a tax credit to benefit the Ko Olina resort also spent heavily. So did the state's biggest public employee union and a host of business associations that represent major industries such as insurance, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
Lobbying expenditure reports, which groups that hire paid legislative advocates must periodically file with the state Ethics Commission, can give the public a glimpse behind the scenes at the Capitol, political analysts say.
"They're not doing it for charity, that's for sure," University of Hawai'i political-science professor Neal Milner said of the organizations spending the money. "This is not about an explicit quid pro quo, but people are trying to have influence."
Looking at the groups that spend the most can help identify what issues will be hard-fought during the legislative session, and who the key players are.
The money pays for attorneys and other paid advocates to meet with lawmakers and pitch an agenda, provide them with drafts of legislation a group wants passed, and sometimes to buy them meals and gifts.
Kamehameha Schools, for instance, reported paying for more than 30 lunches with lawmakers and top state officials.
Kekoa Paulsen, spokesman for the multibillion-dollar charitable trust, said the meetings were not to advocate any specific pieces of legislation, but were mainly to keep in touch with policy-makers before the start of the current legislative session, which began Jan. 15.
"I know we've been extremely careful reporting what we feel qualifies as a lobbying expense," he said. "That has been a commitment of the leadership of Kamehameha."
Many other groups reported spending money on meals and gifts, but none that had filed a report by the close of business yesterday included as many details as Kamehameha.
Ethics Commission director Dan Mollway said virtually all groups that are required to file a lobbying report do so eventually, but that some don't disclose the full amount they spend.
"The law is hard to enforce unless someone basically is willing to blow the whistle on someone," Mollway said. "In some cases there has been intentional underreporting, and we try to deal with that."
The best lobbyists usually file honest reports, he said, because discrepancies can be raised to discredit the groups or issues they work for. Violations can also result in a fine and an embarrassing public hearing.
"Those who file fear that, and that's why the reports tend to be accurate, because they know that people know what they're doing," Mollway said.
Most people tend to associate lobbying with big businesses having undue influence on lawmakers, but that is not the whole story, he said.
"When people hear the word 'lobbyist' they have a negative view, but they forget that there are other groups that are lobbying to protect children and senior citizens" and on behalf of consumers and public safety, he said.
Milner said an organized group with a recognizable name and identifiable interest usually carries more weight in the political process than someone on their own.
"It's harder for individuals to have their concerns taken seriously," he said. "Money helps to build these organizations, but it isn't money alone that gives them influence."
It's important for the public to have access to information about how much special interests are spending to tout their agendas, Milner said.
"It creates accountability," he said. "It at least keeps the concept of honesty in politics and corruption on the agenda."
Ira Rohter, another UH political science professor, agreed.
"The oil companies have their message heard, not because people working for the company stand up to be heard," he said.
"What you have is someone who's paid to be down there, who takes lawmakers to dinner, and takes them golfing. When you see money being spent, you know there's a lot more going on."
Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
