Power of lobbyists in Augusta must be countered by citizen participation in their government

In business, it’s common practice to conduct exit interviews with employees.

Candid answers about what’s good, and not good, about the business will be forthcoming, allowing it to compare its assumptions in the hiring process with the benefit of hindsight. If the Legislature is viewed as the people’s business – as it should – it’s just as wise to conduct an exit interview when a legislator leaves office, as I did in July.

Here are a few questions I have been recently asked.

Can you describe your legislative history?

For five years, I served as the state representative for Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Mexico and Peru. My first four years I served on the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee; my last on the Taxation Committee. Prior to my election in November 2002, I was unexposed to the governing process. During my tenure, I was involved with the governor’s Bangor racino bill. On Taxation, I participated in developing the recent tax reform proposal.

How about overhauling the Legislature?

Smaller is better. The Legislature should reduce its cost by reducing its size. Legislators should also be limited on the amount of bills introduced for each session. In the last session alone, more than 2,000 pieces of legislation were proposed. The cost for each is enormous, and it is impossible for every legislator to comprehend each bill.

What do you think of term limits?

Do away with term limits. Legislators have always been “term limited” with re-election. With term limits, the power has shifted to state officials, the governor, and the omnipresent lobbyists. They have all the “institutional knowledge.” This institutional knowledge is necessary for proper government oversight, yet this knowledge is used every day by lobbyists to manipulate our representatives.

Does the public need to get involved?

Whether talking about the Legislature the way it is, or with the changes proposed above, nothing works if the public is disengaged. My experience with the racino bill taught me this.

Many millions of tax dollars were given to special interests, and nobody in government was given the authority to track and account for this tax money. Special interests were well-represented. The people were not. The gambling lobby successfully created an atmosphere of greed that led to a feeding frenzy, and the legislation that prevailed was for their benefit, and did not best benefit Maine people. Changes in that original law, to benefit Maine and not the gambling industry, are very necessary.

Yes, legislators are elected to represent the people. The lobby, however, is masterful at twisting facts and convincing hard-working legislators it, the lobby, really has the best interests of Maine people at heart. Believe me, they do not. The public needed to be heard in the racino process, and it was silent.

The same can be said for taxation. The Taxation Committee tried to lower taxes for Maine people, but lobbyists again circled their special interest wagons and convinced many the committee was wrong.

I still believe that tax cuts for full time Maine residents would be a good first step.

If I testify, will the Legislature listen?

All lawmakers pay attention when “John Q. Citizen” appears to testify on a piece of legislation. If you testify, you will have an impact. Legislators need to hear from you. It is up to you to reinforce a sense of the community. Remember, legislators are human, and the lobbyists and special interests are always in their ears.

What can I do to change things?

The process starts at the ballot box. That’s you, the citizenry.

People tend to vote with their guts. They vote for someone based on how they ” feel ” about that person. This can be a good thing, but only if you follow up. Once they’re elected, track how your representative or senator votes and challenge them when you disagree. Please understand that most legislators care about Maine and want to make it better. They need the public to be a part of the solution, and help them to stay in touch.

I hope these few suggestions are helpful. It is up to the voters now. For my part, I will do my best to elect a candidate that will continue to support the values of the hard-working folks in my former district, House District 93.

Collectively, I believe we will make the right decision in November, and the result will be a better Legislature and a better state of Maine.

It has been a privilege to serve.

Randy Hotham of Dixfield was the Republican representative from House District 93 in the 121st, 122nd and the 123rd Maine Legislatures, until resigning July 30. A special election to fill his seat is set for November.