Michael Ackley: These ‘relationships’ built on gifts to legislators

Over the years, Kristin Olsen showed herself to be a level-headed legislator, but her ascension to Assembly minority leader has made her a defender of the indefensible. In Sacramento Bee reporter Alexei Koseff’s fine article, she is quoted as saying junkets like her recent trip to Hawaii build legislative relationships and trust. Apparently trust is attained by accepting valuable gratuities – in the guise of “conferences” – from financially interested businesses.

Olsen’s rationalization is what my old grandma would call “bushwah.” Having worked in the capital for many years, I can attest that legislators accept such poorly disguised gifts (bribes, really) because they think they deserve them.

Building relationships? Lawmakers certainly remember the good times they had at the expense of sponsoring companies when those companies have special-interest bills up for consideration. Those are relationships the ultimately count, and the people ultimately pay.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 6:27 PM with the headline "Michael Ackley: These ‘relationships’ built on gifts to legislators."