i L i n d . n e t

A reader raised another question about the Superferry’s lobbyist reports.

Wasn’t the law firm that Superferry hired also utilized as lobbyists? Gary Slovin was all over the Capitol. I remember at least one or two of their attorneys testified on behalf of the Superferry.

Were part of the bills paid to Goodsill accounted as part of the overall lobbyists expenses?

The answer is, Yes. Attorney Gary Slovin is listed on the company’s disclosure reports for 2007, which show the following amounts paid.

January-Feb - $ 167.54
March-April - $3719.30
May-Dec 2007 - $1507.82

2007 total: $5,394.66

Whether that sounds like it covers all of the time Slovin spent lobbying on the Superferry’s behalf is something I have no information on, although I have no reason to believe that it doesn’t.

Yesterday’s post about Kitty Lagareta prompted another reader to ask:

Your post this morning about Kitty did not go into the obvious, that her close ties with the Governor made her a target and the “this and that” about the university operations, and especially sports, is just so much cover. Of course, Kitty has her own history of claiming persecution by “the machine” for her allegiance and work for Linda.

And your post raises an interesting question. Are legislator’s disallowed from making recommendations and even lobbying on their behalf, a right that the rest of us citizens have. I am sure there is the possibility of overzealous lobbying and suggests of tit for tat and reprisals, but I have to assume there were people (whether leggos or not) sending messages of support for Donovan.

“Deep political roots and past associations with key figures in and out of government” has a nefarious ring, but you could say the same about Mother Theresa or the Dalai Lama.”

I guess the simple question is, what is appropriate support for a candidate by an elected official (who we put in office to spend their time and energy in ways that would give them an opinion about who should hold a job) and what is not.

I think the recommendations of elected officials, as all others, would be appropriately submitted to a selection committee as part of the screening process. Sometimes friends in high places can be a legitimate job-related plus.

I find those phone calls less legitimate when elected officials bypass the normal screening committee process and go directly to higher-placed decision makers with what amount to requests to overturn official selection committee rankings or recommendations.

The provision of the state ethics law is somewhat vague, but certainly suggests that there are limits to such support.

§84-13 Fair treatment. No legislator or employee shall use or attempt to use the legislator’s or employee’s official position to secure or grant unwarranted privileges, exemptions, advantages, contracts, or treatment, for oneself or others…

Very interesting…it seems Sen. Inouye hosted a fundraiser for Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who faces a tough race with a Democratic challenger.

But to Senate old-timers like Inouye, 83, and Stevens, 84 — each of whom has served in the chamber since the 1960s — friendship comes before party. In the increasingly bitter world of Washington, the friendship of Inouye and Stevens stands out. They call each other “brother.” Both served with honor in World War II.

The two have traveled the world together are the top two senators on the panel controlling the Pentagon budget. For years, they’ve used the post to deliver federal money to their states. They are also the chairman and top Republican on the powerful Commerce Committee.

However, when Inouye’s wife passed away two years ago, Stevens traveled to Hawaii for the funeral. With that perspective, fellow Democrats are unlikely to take too much umbrage at Inouye’s gesture toward his GOP friend.

“It says that friendships and relationships are more important than political parties,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

In the arts–I’m humbled. Check out these photos taken with…an iPhone.

It’s not Friday, but it’s time for a cat note nonetheless.

I took Annie & Kili to the vet on Sunday afternoon for regular annual checkups.

Annie was fine. No ill effects of her ratting.

But it’s been almost a year and a half since Ms. Kili’s been to VCA. At that time, we had been treating a liver ailment until her last blood test found everything okay again. Apparently she’s been doing better since we discovered that she’s gained over two pounds. She now weighs just over 14 pounds, putting her up in the Big Boy category. So now I have to worry that we’ve got to add her to the “don’t feed more than necessary” category.