Lobbyists and Lawmakers Are Working a System That's Corrupt

OK, so legislators are swarming all over lobbyists, grubbing for campaign money. The lobbyists are begging the legislators for votes on everything from taxes to tobacco.

Think there may be a link here? Not a quid pro quo, of course. That would be illegal. But some extra consideration for friends? The granting of favors that are likely to be returned? Some coalition building?

You'd have to be very naive not to recognize the nexus between special interest campaign contributions and legislators' votes. Or a governor's bill signings, for that matter.

When pols insist -- as Gov. Gray Davis' spokesmen do like robots -- that "there's absolutely no connection" between political donations and policy decisions, it damages their credibility and insults people's intelligence.

Special interests give to get.

Democratic consultant Darry Sragow, who runs Assembly campaigns, acknowledges: "Contributions clearly do affect policy decisions

"Because if you vote against the interests of someone who has been a significant supporter, it only makes sense that person will become less of a significant supporter -- or a politician's worst nightmare, a significant opponent. You vote against those interests at your peril."

The Capitol spin is that money only buys access. "Nonsense," says reformer Bob Stern, president of the Institution for Governmental Studies. "These are rational people. It buys influence or they wouldn't be wasting their money."

Access leads to influence.

Longtime highways lobbyist David Ackerman says carting clients' checks to legislators' fund-raisers buys familiarity. That means, he says, "When you're running down the hall after a legislator to get him to come back and vote, at least he knows who you are and knows you're a player in the game.

"If you're going to be here and play the game, [attending fund-raisers] is part of the rules."

Legislators are holding more fund-raisers for several reasons: New contribution limits require more donors. Campaign costs constantly rise because of population growth. The campaign season has gotten longer because of the March primary. Term limits mean more turnover and competitive primaries.

Last Monday, The Times ran a front-page story reporting that legislators have been holding lots of fund-raising receptions in Sacramento. Lobbyists seeking budget favors have been showing up with $1,000 checks from their special interest clients. "It's just out of hand," said a lobbyist.