Lobbyists can serve an important role, but governmental bodies hiring lobbyists to represent their interests to other governmental bodies seems a little out of whack.

About 80 lobbyists currently represent the interests of local governments and school districts in Kansas, according to the Kansas Press Association. This includes lobbyists who represent individual cities and school districts as well as those who serve a broader constituency through associations like the Kansas Association of School Boards.

What they all have in common, however, is that they all are paid by taxpayer dollars, either directly or through dues paid to the associations they represent.

This sets up an interesting dynamic. Presumably, most statewide associations will address mostly issues that all or most of their members have in common. An education association, for instance, might concentrate on school funding or other education issues that affect all of their members.

The agenda of lobbyists who represent individual cities or school districts would be more narrowly focused on their clients’ particular needs. What’s good for one city may be good for another, or it may result in one city’s interests being pitted against another city’s competing interest. The state’s universities might be an example of such competition. Although lobbyists for the six universities may stress cooperation and the need to support the entire system, they still are going to fight a little harder for something that benefits their own institution. The competition is inherent.

An even greater problem could arise if the interests of a government unit conflict with the interests of individual residents. Government-paid lobbyists represent government, not individuals. Taxpayers may be paying lobbyists to press for actions that aren’t in the public’s best interests. Open meetings and open records laws would be one example of where government preferences and public interest might be in conflict.

Certain associations, of course, support lobbyists to represent the public interest, but it seems that the number of government-paid lobbyists could be close to overwhelming the voice of average Kansans.

We depend on our elected representatives to try to serve the will of the people, but when one elected body is pitted against another, who speaks for the people?