Analysis: Many Minnesota Lawmakers Make Move to Lobbyist

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Some former lawmakers in Minnesota have made a quick transition to lobbying their ex-colleagues.

An analysis by the reporters found that since 2002, at least five dozen legislators in Minnesota have become lobbyists once they leave office. The group is a mix of Democrats and Republicans.

Many states and the U.S. government have limits against quick moves for lawmakers to become lobbyists. Minnesota does not have a law, but the state House has a rule calling for a one-year cooling off period that's often ignored. There's no penalty for violating it.

This year, DFL state Sen. John Marty of Roseville proposed banning lawmakers and other officials from becoming lobbyists for seven years after leaving state employment. Earlier efforts to ban quick transitions failed under former House Speaker Steve Sviggum, who led the House from 1999 to 2006.