Do you feel special interests have the inside track in our state government?

Powerful lawmakers leaving office, only to turn around and become high-priced lobbyists back on Capitol Hill. News Specialist John Daley has been investigating the issue.

It's known as the "Revolving Door."

In many states lawmakers are prohibited from becoming paid lobbyists right after leaving office. But it Utah, not only is it legal, it happens all the time.

At the capitol you can hardly tell the lawmakers from the lobbyists. That's because many, like Craig Moody, Kelly Atkinson, Ted Lewis, Steve Barth-- were elected legislators.

Now they are paid lobbyists working for private interests.

Citizen advocates see a problem.

Claire Geddes/Utah Legislative Watch: "IT'S FAIR TO SAY IT ISN'T THE FOXES GUARDING THE CHICKEN COOP. IT'S THE FOXES *IN* THE CHICKEN COOP. THEY HAVE MUCH MORE INFLUENCE THAN SOMEONE OFF THE STREET WOULD HAVE."

More than 20 former lawmakers are now lobbyists. Many switched the year after leaving office.

Some represent interests they'd fought *against* as lawmakers.

Many held powerful leadership positions. Now, with knowledge of the process and the key players, they're among the most powerful lobbyists, some earning 6 figure salaries.

It's a revolving door...

"Cap" Ferry, once Senate President, now lobbyist for 25 organizations including Envirocare, IHC and Questar.

Frank Pignanelli, a House Minority Leader, now represents AT&T, Regence Blue Cross, the Cable Telecom. Association and 22 other interests.

Blaze Wharton, longtime Rep. and Senator, now has 22 clients including Central Utah Water Conservancy District, Fidelity, Voice Stream.

Craig Peterson, Senate Majority Leader, now lobbies for Questar, Nevco Energy, Summit Development and others.

Lawmaker-turned-lobbyist Rob Bishop says the "revolving door" is no big deal.

Rob Bishot/Lobbyist/Former House Speaker: "NO LEGISLATOR IS SIMPLY GOING TO BOW DOWN AND DO SOMETHING SOMEBODY ASKS THEM TO DO SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHO THEY WERE AT ONE PARTICULAR TIME."

But, when shown a list of "revolving door" lobbyists, many Utahns say it makes them uneasy.

"CYNICAL AND UNTRUSTING."

"WELL I'M WONDERING IF IT'S ETHICAL OR NOT."

Congress and half the states have such rules--many require former lawmakers to steer clear of paid lobbying for two years.

A bill this session requires a three-year waiting period.

Sen. Scott Daniels/(D) Salt Lake: "THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO BE NOT ONLY COMPLETELY HONEST. BUT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT IT'S COMPLETELY HONEST AND THEY NEED TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S COMPLETELY HONEST."

The last three House Speakers, Mel Brown, Rob Bishop, and Craig Moody, all are now paid lobbyists.

Current Speaker Marty Stephens says he has no plans to do the same, and supports the "waiting period" bill.

Senate President Al Mansell says he would NOT object to passing it.

Al Mansell/(R) Senate President: "PERSONALLY I'D RATHER HAVE A YEAR THAN TWO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT PEOPLE RESTRICTED SO MUCH THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB."

Some on Capitol Hill wonder if the revolving door really influences policy. Two recent depatures raise eyebrows.

Speaker Mel Brown was a staunch advocate for the School Trust Lands Adminstration, whose leaders recently got a $130,000 in bonuses. Now he lobbies for SITLA.

As a lawmaker--last year Susan Koehn lead the effort to re-elect Republican lawmakers. She now lobbies. As head of the House Rules Committee she had the power to effect legislation for AT&T and six other interests she now represents.

Are these conflicts of interest?

Neither will answer that question on camera.

For years, legislation requiring a "waiting period" has gone nowhere, often stalling in the Senate. But this week, Senate President Al Mansell said he'd support such legislation, though neither he nor House Speaker Marty Stephens say it's a top priority.

The session ends in two weeks.