Revolving Door to Keep Spinning

Minnesota's state Senate today failed to pass a bill that would have prohibited lawmakers from lobbying at the Legislature for one year after they leave office. The bill, which failed on a vote of 33-33, was sponsored by Roseville Sen. John Marty, faithful author of years of good-government legislation that's typically torpedoed by his cohorts. We can only imagine the lawmakers who voted down the bill were only thinking of their futures, given how many of them end up on Minnesota's registered lobbyist rolls within days of leaving office.

A few of this year's new entrants--all of whom left the statehouse last year--and their clients: Former Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson (DFL-Willmar) is registered to represent a host of entities, including Minnesota Public Radio, Northwest Airlines, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, and the city of Clearwater; former Sen. Sharon Marko (DFL-Cottage Grove) registered on behalf of 3M, and former Rep. Phil Krinke (R-Shoreview) will lobby for the Taxpayers League of Minnesota, which he now heads.