Money talks, especially during legislative sessions

HARRISBURG - Legislators may be in the midst of a contentious budget season, but they aren't letting the possibility of a partial government shutdown get in the way of their own fund-raising.

Lawmakers raising campaign cash when they make the trek to the Capitol to vote on legislation is a long-established practice.

But in the month of June, when elected officials are making decisions about the state's finances in preparation for the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, fund-raising goes into overdrive.

"When they're in session, Harrisburg is a different town than when they're not in session. Why? Because lobbyists," said G. Terry Madonna, professor of public affairs and director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College.

During June, lobbyists descend on Harrisburg in record numbers, spending time and money to push their agendas, including on the fund-raising circuit, where their attendance is expected.

In the last week alone, several luncheons and honorary receptions were held for lawmakers in some of Harrisburg's most elite locations - for no small fee. Fund-raiser tickets can range anywhere from $250 for a breakfast to $5,000 for a cocktail soiree.

"This is a time when legislatures can really hit up lobbyists for money, because every lobbyist in town is pretty much working on budget-related issues, so they're all vulnerable," said Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania.

In past years, Kauffman said, voting sessions sometimes recessed early in the middle of budget negotiations so legislators wouldn't miss their fund-raisers.

Last year, Rep. Thomas Murt (R., Montgomery) introduced legislation that would restrict fund-raising to non-session days with the idea of keeping legislators in the Capitol during negotiations.

Though the bill remains in the House's State Government Committee, Murt said, he's hopeful it will move forward - but not optimistic.

"I've been advised by the more senior members that the House will not embrace this concept because those fund-raisers are so important and so lucrative to elected officials," Murt said.

Though it is not an election year, Murt said, sometimes legislators gear up early. It can be a tactic to ward off potential challengers.

"If an incumbent has a sizable war chest, it scares off some would-be opponents," Murt said. "It's kind of a painful aspect of democracy. And I say that because if there's someone who has great ideas, a high energy level, a lot of good name recognition in their community, and decides not to run because an incumbent has hundreds of thousands in their war chest, that's a bit disconcerting."

Access to lawmakers at pivotal points in time can be influential, and the fact that money flows during the budget season indicates that it works, Kauffman said.

"What this does is show the public how much political money drives the governing process," Kauffman said. "Lobbyists are pretty bright people. If the political money wasn't working, it would stop very quickly."

While it's debatable how much political clout lobbyists can actually buy during budget negotiations, Madonna said most checks are written to legislators to reinforce views or to network.

But that doesn't mean all access is created equal. Often, sky-high ticket prices can shut many groups out of fund-raisers, Murt said.

"It's not fair that a lobbyist can pay $250 for a scrambled egg breakfast, but a nun working for the homeless in Philadelphia can't afford that," he said.