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Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins writes about Anchorage city government and politics. He covered last year's campaign for governor, and has blogged extensively about Alaska politics for the past year. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the Daily News before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune two years ago to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Now he's back in Anchorage. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau this summer, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.

Legislative director

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: May 7, 2008 - 9:15 am

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

We keep getting contacted at the paper from anonymous folk saying they think Sarah Palin's new legislative director, Kelly Goode, has a conflict of interest because of her ties to a prominent lobbyist.

So I asked about it.

Goode said she's been dating Juneau lobbyist Kim Hutchinson for several years.

Goode said she's also been working in the Legislature for many years (most recently as chief of staff for Eagle River Rep. Nancy Dahlstrom) and has always taken a professional approach.

"My loyalty is always with my boss and I joined the governor's team with a complete and clear understanding that her priorities are my priorities. Nothing is going to change that," Goode said.

Goode said she and Hutchinson do not share residences. "We have no joint financial anything," Goode said. "We date, but everything financial or anything like that is all separate. I pay for myself...I try to go above and beyond and make sure things are very separate."

She said anyone concerned about how she handles it should talk to Dahlstrom.

"Because I approached it the same way with her, her priorities were my priorities," Goode said. "And trust me, there's going to be times when, whatever the goal for my boss, which is now the governor, may be opposite of whoever he's representing. And I'm Ok with that, it doesn't bother me if at times you are on different sides."

Goode said she sees her job as a liaison to discuss the governor's priorities with legislators. Palin's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, said the governor's office is aware of the relationship with Hutchinson and does not consider it to be an issue.

"Her job is not to push for his legislation," Leighow said.

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6 May 7, 2008 - 11:35pm | janibear

We want to believe we can trust our leadership.

Apparently, Kelly and Kim are totally professional despite their coziness. However, I would like to see a law against lobbyists, period. They are like "superdelegates," carrying more weight than hundreds of people combined. Everyone should have an equal voice, equal vote, equal opportunity, but because of highly paid lobbyists, the opinion of the individual spirals down to little or no meaning to a legislator. Lobbyists and legislators give meaning to the old adage, "money talks and b.s. walks."

May 8, 2008 - 12:05am | akbosco

Want to repeal the 1st amendment at the same time?

They only carry more weight because they represent a number of people and provide the information that the legislators need to make an informed decision. For every corporate or union lobbyist there are several lobbyists representing municipalities, school districts, or non-profit organizations. No legislator I have ever met with has taken me, or the lobbyist representing my organization, at their word. They always check with the other side to get their opinion and several have asked what our opposition, if any, has to say about the legislation.

Lobbyists are necessary for those of us who can't be in Juneau every day following what the Legislature is up to and aren't able to drop into legislator's offices (or get them to answer emails promptly) to see what their opinion is on bills that concern us.

Now, if you wanted to eliminate the legal profession, lets talk. LOL

5 May 7, 2008 - 3:35pm | snowtanned

More than just an appearance of impropriety

We went to Juneau a few years ago. When we walked by Dahlstrom's office our lobbyist pointed out Hutchinson taking a nap on Dahlstrom's couch. You could see him laying there through the door. Dahlstrom was on the House floor. Our lobbyist pointed out that Dahlstrom started out as a conservative Republican, but since Hutchinson oozed in to her office she'd voted for lots of union issues - he represents unions. She collected lots of union money after that, too.

May 7, 2008 - 11:49pm | akbosco

You don't have to look that far for the union connection

Rep. Dahlstrom's husband is a mechanical contractor who has testified before the Anchorage Assembly in favor of the Mechanical Union's position on issues. She didn't need Kim Hutchinson or Kelly Goode to lead her to supporting the unions.

May 7, 2008 - 4:06pm | soldier34

character assasination

i have worked around both Ms. Goode and Mr. Hutchinson. It is fascinating to see people with little knowledge talk about this situation. Mr.Hutchinson has been around the Cap halls for 25 plus years and has a sterling reputation among his clients and among people he works with in the capitol. Likewise, Ms. Goode also maintains an excellent raport with her co-workers and even people from the opposite party.

I suggest you all step back for a moment and wait and see how this plays out in "the real world". I am sure Gov. Palin who knows of this situation and relationship took every precaution and made it clear about how Ms. Goode would operate going forward.

May 7, 2008 - 9:02pm | snowtanned

Not so fast

I checked with the people we deal with in Juneau. They confirmed your assertion that Ms. Goode has a good reputation. They say the governor, and the state, are better off with her there compared to her predecessor. They questioned your assertion that Mr. Hutchinson has a "sterling" reputation.

May 7, 2008 - 5:30pm | black33

It's not character assassination to insist no impropriety

Both people involved (the lobbyist and the state employee) are no doubt good people and good at what they do. That's not the point.

The point is that, especially after the CBC and Room 604, executive branch ethics- so we are told- means that there must be an avoidance of impropriety, including any appearance of a conflict of interest. The only way the governor and legislative director can show that everything Ms. Goode does is without any potential taint is to have her recuse herself from any issue or legislation the lobbyist's clients are interested in. That would obviously involve such a great number of bills that Ms. Goode could not properly carry out her duties. That's the problem.

It's equivalent to the spouse of a major DC lobbyist becoming the President's liaison with Congress. It doesn't happen because it can't work.

If the governor had to take "every precaution" it either means that a problem was recognized or the dual residences have been bugged.

May 7, 2008 - 5:39pm | soldier34

Black 33: I would disagree.

Black 33:

I would disagree.

Ms. Goode and Mr. Hutchinson will obviously have issues where their perspective employers will be butting heads. This would have been the same whether they were dating or not. As I said earlier, lobbyists of every persuasion are constantly in contact with people from the Governors office - whether or not they stand together or apart on issues. They share information on issues and stances, which is a completely normal and healthy part of the political debate/process. Just because they share information doesnt mean the process is bunk.

You point out members of the CBC as an example of the moving forward nature of the executive branch...how does this relate to the current issue we are discussing. Neither Ms. Goode or Mr. Hutchinson sit in dark rooms with grainy FBI videos showing them handing wads of cash back and forth. Sure, it would be plausible to think that they may discuss work related issues in their off time, but as I said, this is done BY EVERY SINGLE IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THE GOVERNORS OFFICE with businessman and lobbyists accross the state. Legislating involves effectively communicating with ALL parties including the people you are hurting with certain legislation.

If Ms. Goode is found to be doing her job unprofessionally, I would assume she will be shown the door by Gov. Palin and her reputation will be greatly tainted. She is taking the biggest risk of all by taking this job and it is HER professional reputation on the line.

May 7, 2008 - 4:21pm | rfn

Excellent advice!

However you would more effectively ask ducks not to quack.

May 7, 2008 - 4:45pm | soldier34

thank you

RFN:

I find myself disagreeing frequently with what you write on this blog, however, this outrageous and is being promulgated by the same people who attempt to mock everything Governor Palin and her administration carries out.

There are MANY legislative and executive staffers past and present who have dated, are dating, or in some cases are married to lobbyists. Makes sense given the amount of time these parties spend around eachother.

Mr. Hutchinson has NEVER (by my look at past APOC reports) represented a major oil company. Somehow it seems folks on this blog think it is improper to represent unions (or be a legislator that votes pro-union). Guess what, many of your fellow Alaskans are or have been in unions and those unions are important to their members and important to the state. I suggest an extended stay in China to see why worker conditions/rights/and contracts or an important part of a modern society.

Finally, every decent lobbyist in this state coordinates efforts with the legislative and executive branches: it is their job for goddsakes! When you find common ground on issues you work together to further them, when you oppose people on issues you work without/against them - however, if you are good at what you do you maintain respect to and from all parties involved. This is not going to change one iota how the Governors' office operates.

Nor will it change Mr. Hutchinsons' effectiveness (he was here before Governor h Palin, Frank Murkowski, Tony Knowles, Hickel, Cowper, etc) and he will be here after Governor Palin leaves office.

May 7, 2008 - 5:12pm | rfn

I have known personally only a couple of lobbyists.

Both of them were honest to a fault and sometimes lost "jobs" because they would not, as one of them put it, "pimp for something that outrageous - no matter what you'd pay".

That, of course, is not to say all lobbyists are that way. Without proof otherwise, I'd consider Mr. Hutchinson to be of that honourable variety.

As to unions, I've seen it both ways. Worked in a situation where, without a union, abuse would have been rampant. Unionism was tantamount to survivalism. I've also seen situations where union excesses led businesses to become uncompetitive and fail. Strangely (though not surprisingly) those instances seemed to be more about union management feathering its' own little nest rather than benefits to the workers.

Seems like an old financial adage works in labor relations, too: "Bears make money; bulls make money; pigs get slaughtered."

In the end, balance works. Sometimes I take great pleasure in pressing an extreme contrary position in search of a crude sort of balance. Other times, just to give back a fraction of the irritation. Hard to tell which sometimes!

May 7, 2008 - 5:32pm | soldier34

lobbyists

RFN:

Interestingly, in my own experience, lobbyists dont differ too much from any other profession where you take a sample of 50 random people doing the same thing. There are corrupt/bad lawyers, corrupt/bad cops, unethical judges, bad teachers, etc. Lobbying as an industry is villified and its most public figures (Jack Abramhoff, Bill Bobrick, etc) have committed horrible acts. However, that doesnt mean the industry as a whole is corrupt and unethical.

We are all being pimped or pimping someone or something.

Have a great night.

4 May 7, 2008 - 12:50pm | black33

Appearance of impropriety

So... the governor sees nothing wrong with her legislative director literally being in bed with a lobbyist...and not just any lobbyist.

He is not only one of the highest paid most powerful lobbyists in the state. He's a democrat. His clients are frequently at odds with the governor's agenda.

Didn't this governor get elected because she appeared to be the one politician who was as disgusted as we are by the incestuous relationships between lobbyists and public officials? Isn't this the governor who led the charge to reform our ethics law to make it more difficult to engage in conduct which has even the appearance of a conflict of interest?

Kelly Goode claims that she has never accepted a dime from her lobbyist boyfriend. It ain't the money- it's the pillow talk that makes it clear to any reasonable person that she has a conflict of interest between promoting good public policy and her private life.

May 7, 2008 - 11:33pm | Emperor

Hiding in...

...plain sight. They weren't trying to hide anything from anyone. If there was any clue of impropriety, I'm certain we would be hearing more about it than innuendo.

I would much rather hear about these kind of relationships than drive it underground where we don't hear about it until it's too late.

3 May 7, 2008 - 12:30pm | gregmatt

Gambling and Mining

Is Gov. Palin against gambling? If so, she and her legislative liaison will have to battle CHARR, who wants to expand gambling in Alaska. Is Gov. Palin pro-mining? If so, she and her legislative liaison will have to battle the Wild Alaskan Salmon Protection Association, who seems to be against Pebble. Guess who lobbies for both organizations ... Kim Hutchinson.

2 May 7, 2008 - 12:17pm | Stags_Leap

another bone-headed move

as Palin knows, in politics its not you are that matters; it's who they think you are. And I can't fathom why she would hire a legislative director who is in a serious relationship with a well-known lobbyist. This is HUGE conflict of interest, real and perceived. The political baggage is not worth it -in my opinion. Let's see a scenario: Palin demonizing Big Oil lobbyists, while at the same time employing a legsilative director who is in a serious romantic relationship with a lobbyist. Not very smart.

May 7, 2008 - 12:20pm | rfn

Yes, unfortunate

she didn't find someone from out of state with no ties to anyone; perhaps a total recluse, and no idea of how Alaska functions or even where it is.

Of course there would be fault to be found, by the dedicated, with that as well.....

May 7, 2008 - 1:10pm | Stags_Leap

RFN

even you have to admit this was a bone-headed move. Your devotion to everything-Palin aside, this was just not smart.

Personally, I think the governor should use state residents whenever possible. And I also think she should use in-state businesses whenever possible, whether it be for auction services or media/PR contracts.

May 7, 2008 - 1:48pm | rfn

Surely you understand

that NO Alaskan could meet the impossible standard being set by Governor Palin's critics? Alaska is a small state, population-wise. Except for the more recent refugees from the depleted oil states to the south everybody here is related to everybody else. Or, if not related, sleeping with them.

No....to satisfy the critics it could only be someone from out of state or, perhaps, from another planet. Interested in the job if there's a do-over?

May 7, 2008 - 2:33pm | TheSdog

rfn

The standard of which you speak was set by Palin, not her critics.

This is the critical point the Posse never gets. She cannot cry foul over every little indiscretion and then do things like this. The only reason this is an issue is because she is the one who makes such things an issue.

Politics as usual is alive and well in this administration.

May 7, 2008 - 1:55pm | black33

It's more like no legislator or other public official

can meet the standard for integrity that Governor Palin has set for everyone, with an exception for someone that she wants to hire for a key job.

This is no different than if she hired Ms. Stedman or Ms. Meyer for the job- it's simply untenable to try to pretend that a legislative director can ignore a spouse's or boyfriend's position and interests on issues that are at the core of the legislative director's job.

May 7, 2008 - 1:58pm | rfn

Still,

the governor should get proper recognition for doing this and obviating the need for her perpetual critics to have to invent something.

May 7, 2008 - 2:06pm | black33

Exactly

Point well taken

May 7, 2008 - 2:01pm | Stags_Leap

perpetual critics

Compared to Frank and Tony, Palin has had a cake walk.

May 7, 2008 - 2:16pm | rfn

Yes, Tony did lose.

I supported him but he lost.

I got over it.

Frank didn't so much lose as throw it away.

Still, time will tell whether there is or is not "improper" influence. Fortunately the denizens of the blogosphere lack veto power over any executive appointments. Who knows, perhaps it's all an attempt to divert attention from something serious--like angling for a shot at the vice presidency.

May 7, 2008 - 1:09pm | black33

Unfortunate...and unnecessary

The governor could have easily have found a qualified Alaskan who does not have a domestic relationship with a prominent lobbyist who represents clients on issues before the administration and legislature. It's not that either the employee or the lobbyist are bad people- the lobbyist is very reputable and obviously successful.

Read the conflict of interest statutes- they are designed to have public officials avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest as well as an actual conflict.

Perhaps this is one of the staffing decisions that caused Mike Tibbles to call it a day with such little notice.

1 May 7, 2008 - 9:39am | niklake

Must be a slooooowwww day, Sean...

A lot of us have known about this for days. So what?

May 7, 2008 - 10:41am | chilcoot

Most Alaskans Don't

I'm not sure how tiny your world is, niklake, but I can assure you that, oh, 99% of Alaskans had no idea these two people have been in a longtime serious relationship.

This is news. Not earth-shattering news, but news sufficient to justify a post in this blog.

May 7, 2008 - 10:40am | janibear

But, not all of us--

I thought it interesting that our squeaky clean governor would even go there by hiring anyone with connections to those who beg, borrow and steal from Alaska's coffers for their masters while getting paid for it.

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