To the Editor:

Scott McLeod’s opinion piece “If it’s all about money, we’re in big trouble” was right on target. And unfortunately it exists not only in North Carolina but all over the country. It continues to be especially pervasive in the U.S. Congress.

From 1975-1984 I served as executive director and chief lobbyist for the Broward County (Florida) League of Cities. My primary responsibility was to represent the interests of municipal government before the Broward County Commission, the Florida Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.

I had to compete with other lobbyists who represented various special interest groups such as Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Power and Light, Bell South, the cable television industry, and the list goes on.

Each of these interest groups had a bottomless budget to wine and dine commissioners, legislators, and members of Congress. The number and variety special “legislative” functions like BBQs and other events crammed the typical legislative calendar. And the no limits on campaign contributions only served to guarantee “‘access” to these elected officials whenever the need arose.

I, on the other hand, worked on a limited salary (paid for by taxpayer funded dues of the member cities), never bought a drink or paid for an elected official’s meal, was prohibited from making campaign contributions, and had to rely solely on my powers of persuasion to counter proposed legislation favoring these special interests. It was a struggle, but we won our share of arguments by testifying in committee meetings and pursuing our case with individual elected officials.

My most gratifying win came during the administration of then Florida Gov. Bob Graham. The cable television industry, represented by a well-known lobbyist, proposed rescinding existing cable TV contracts with all Florida city and county governments in order to renegotiate new contracts more favorable to the industry. The legislation was drafted, flew through committees in both the House and Senate despite strong arguments, and passed both houses.

Not to be outdone, I did some research and found a small clause in the Florida Constitution which prevented such actions. I then prepared a veto argument for the Governor which cited the clause. Gov. Graham used my argument in vetoing the legislation and there were not enough votes for an override. Chalk up one for the little guy!

The struggle to compete with the big money interests at the state and federal levels of government continues to this day. And I wholeheartedly urge NC voters to contact their legislators in support of House Bill 453 which seeks to counter the 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited contributions to political campaigns. 

Kurt J. Volker

Otto