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SALT LAKE CITY -- Public schools and school districts would be prohibited from hiring contract lobbyists under a bill approved by a state Senate committee Monday.
"I just want to prevent full-time lobbyists from being employed by the school districts," said Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, sponsor of SB123. "My goal here is simply to keep money in the classroom."
The bill would not preclude districts or schools from employing government affairs specialists to represent their interests on Capitol Hill.
Jenkins said he is aware of only one district that has contracted with a lobbyist but doesn't want to see others follow suit.
"I'm just trying to prevent something from becoming fashionable here on the Hill," he said.
Lobbyists, he said, might view it as an anti-lobbying bill. "Yes, it is for schools and school districts," Jenkins said.
No one spoke in opposition of the measure, which now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
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