State Reps. David Martin, Jerry Neyer and Mark Tisdel today introduced a plan to strengthen the accountability of state government by closing the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists.

The Republican representatives say their plan is meant to prevent a concerning trend where lawmakers and other high-ranking state officials leave office and quickly secure high-paying lobbying jobs, where they can leverage their knowledge and political connections to shape state policy. Some legislators have even been caught lobbying in other states while still serving in Michigan’s Legislature.

“Elected officials are sent to Lansing to represent their communities, not to position themselves for a lobbying gig,” said Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills. “By instituting a cooling-off period, we can help ensure decisions are made for the right reasons.”

House Bill 4062, sponsored by Tisdel, would prohibit a state representative or senator from becoming a lobbyist within two years after leaving office. House Bill 4063, sponsored by Martin, would prohibit directors of state departments from becoming lobbyists within two years after leaving their job with the state. House Bill 4064 sponsored by Neyer, would prohibit current members of the Legislature from lobbying in another state while serving in the Michigan Legislature.

“When a department head steps into a lobbying role so quickly after they leave the state’s payroll, we don’t know whether the decisions they were making before they left government were in the best interests of the people of Michigan or in the best interests of their new employer,” said Martin, R-Davison. “This plan will help ensure that public officials are focused on serving taxpayers, not setting themselves up for a cushy job.”

Their plan would ensure that government officials serve the public’s interests, not their own career ambitions.

“If lawmakers are lining up jobs in regulated industries during lame duck and then going to work for those companies immediately after leaving office, it raises serious concerns. It’s hard to say they aren’t shaping policy in ways that benefit their next job,” said Neyer, R-Shepherd. “The current set up just doesn’t look good. It creates the potential for bias. This legislation will help restore confidence in the system.”

House Bills 4062-4064 have been referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.

The legislation is part of a broader effort by House Republicans to increase transparency and accountability in state government. Last week, the House adopted historic reforms to increase transparency within the state budget process and prevent abuse of taxpayer-funded grants that go toward specific projects, often known as earmarks.

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