What is Madison County trying to buy from Lobbyist Seale?

Madison County Supervisors underhandedness reached another milestone on Monday morning. In a 4-1 vote the Supes decided to give more taxpayer money to lobbyist Steve Seale. Like so many of the county engineering projects approved at the meetings, the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.

Seale will now receive an additional $2500 per month to lobby at the State level to add to the $75,000 a year he already skims and scams from county taxpayers with Board President Tim Johnson's help. Much like Johnson's engineering buddy Rudy Warnock, Seale doesn't have to provide a plan or proof that what he is doing is getting results for Madison County.

In fact, Seale publicly berated Congressman Gregg Harper's stance on no new earmarks during a Supervisor's meeting just a few months ago. How effective can he be lobbying if he publicly bites that hand? At the least, Seale's public temperament is unprofessional. At the worst, it is costing the Madison County taxpayer; both in the salary he takes home, and in the reputation he gives the county with such ill-advised tirades.

It is important to remember the following words when dealing with federal officials:

"Our Congressional delegation is very sensitive to the level of support (or opposition) offered by public officials and the community."

That is a very good statement. Who made it?

Steve Seale, that's who. In a extremely long comment posted on the Madison County Journal website right after he had another temper tantrum lashing out at Supervisor DI Smith during a board meeting in January:

A lobbyist for the Board of Supervisors publicly berated District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith on Monday over Madison County's lobbying strategy.

The lobbyist, C. Stevens Seale, had given the Board of Supervisors a year-end update, touting $4.5 million in federal funds earmarked for three Madison County projects, when he began berating Smith as he tried to comment.

Following a nearly 15 minute report, Smith tried to make a comment about Lake Harbour Drive, but was interrupted and harsly scolded by Seale.

"I know exactly what you're trying to do Supervisor Smith," Seale said. "And I'll say publicly I'm offended by the fact you did that."

Seale said he felt Smith was questioning his role in obtaining the funds when other county agencies like the Madison County Foundation and municipalities like the city of Ridgeland had also worked to lobby for the same projects.

You see, Mr. Seale is unstable both in public AND on the internet.

There is also the recent very public argument Seale tried to start with Tom Dawson, co-author of Kings of Tort with blogger Alan Lange, during a Stennis Institute luncheon earlier in the year over whether Dawson was unethically cashing in on the Scruggs case by writing the book. The Stennis Lucheon, for those who are unaware, is a monthly meeting of political figures AND the MEDIA. The fact that Seale would jump so quickly to show how offended he was in front of a statewide media shows a real lack of judgement.

But, so do statements like this:

"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."

The Legislature will be working on redistricting in 2011. But, why would the county want to pay a lobbyist who supports diluting our voters representation in the State Senate? Could it be added job security for someone? Right now, Madison County residents have four Senators. That's four votes, four advocates. Working to trade that strength into a weakness is either boneheaded, or an attempt at something worse.

You would think that with a salary in excess of $45K, our Supervisors could manage to do the lobbying themselves. When you add in the Madison County Foundation, MCEDA, and the Madison County Business League, why the hell are we paying anybody, especially someone as unstable as Seale, to lobby for Madison County?

Here's a few articles that ran on the move to pay Seale more money:

Madison Co. lobbyist paid $75K annually to lobby Washington


Madison County has expanded the duties of its lobbyist to include presenting local issues to the Mississippi Legislature.

The Clarion-Ledger reports that the board of supervisors voted 4-1 Monday for a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. He has been paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.

Seale, a former member of the state Senate, will get $2,500 a month to lobby the Legislature.

Board President Tim Johnson, also a former state senator, says Seale will be Madison County’s “eyes and ears” at the state Capitol on a variety of county-related issues and also legislative redistricting.

MBJ
 
 

Madison Co. expands lobbyist's job
 
October 19, 2010

Madison County has hired its federal lobbyist to advocate for its interests at the Mississippi Legislature.

The board agreed to a six-month contract for Jackson lawyer Steve Seale to push for local issues before state officials. On a 4-1 vote Monday, the board voted to pay Seale a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for in-state lobbying efforts. He is paid $75,000 annually to lobby in Washington, D.C.

"I know there will be people asking why spend that money, but we think it's money well spent if it protects Madison County when issues come up at the state Legislature," board President Tim Johnson said.

Seale will operate as Madison County's "eyes and ears" at the state Capitol, Johnson said, on a variety of county-related issues but especially with legislative redistricting.

"I think the Legislature needs to look at Madison County as a whole instead of us being split among four Senate districts," he said. "We're hoping the Legislature can create one Senate district and more House districts so we're not split with 20 percent (of a legislator's district) here and there."

Currently, Madison County is divided among four Senate districts and eight House districts. The Legislature is charged with redistricting legislative boundaries next spring.

Seale told the board he can look out for the county's interests in several areas that will be issues in the Legislature -budget, eminent domain and infrastructure.

Board attorney Eric Hamer said the supervisors needed a new contract with Seale because state lobbying efforts are outside the scope of his yearly, federal lobbying contract. "He has helped us on several state issues that he hasn't been compensated for," Hamer said.

Supervisor D.I. Smith said he voted against the six-month contract for Seale because the issue was not on Monday's board agenda and no details were available on a proposed contract or Seale's performance objectives.

CL

Lobbyists: Who represents whom?


October 21, 2010

The Madison County Board of Supervisors has hired one of its lobbyists - it has two - to expand his duties to advocate the county's interests in the Legislature. The county pays lobbyist Steve Seale $75,000 to handle federal lobbying. He will now be paid a monthly retaining fee of $2,500 for the added state duties.

Seale, an attorney and former state senator, is a good lobbyist. This is not to criticize him. He will represent the county well.

However, elected officials should not have to hire lobbyists to lobby other elected officials. Where are Madison legislators? Why do they need "lobbying?"

Many other counties and cities hire lobbyists. It is all the new craze. But it is a waste of money.

Voters might want to ask Madison supervisors why they can't seem to find the state Capitol. A hint: It's that big domed building in Jackson where all the lobbyists hang out.

CL