Don Haggar quit the Legislature last June to make more money spreading propaganda for the Koch Brothers. By law at the time of his quittal, Haggar can’t lobby the Legislature until this June.
But there he was yesterday in the Capitol, creeping on his old colleagues:
On Wednesday he was in the halls of the Legislature again talking with lawmakers and lobbyists.
Haggar emphasized that he wasn’t lobbying. State law prohibits former legislators from becoming a lobbyist in South Dakota for one year.
He said he came back to Pierre to participate Tuesday night in the American Legislative Exchange Council meeting.
…Haggar said he’s met once with his successor, Rep. Doug Barthel, R-Sioux Falls.
Haggar said he’s “crossed paths” a few times with Rep. Stephen Haugaard, R-Sioux Falls, since he stepped down [Bob Mercer, “Legislative Roundup: Divided Senate Adopts 2018 Rules,” Watertown Public Opinion, 2018.01.17].
I know it’s tough, Don, but when you leave a job, especially a high-profile public job like this, common courtesy says you give your successor room to do the job without you coming around and making things awkward. Pastors who get called to new congregations avoid dropping in on their old congregations so as not to make the new pastor uncomfortable. Teachers who go to new schools avoid dropping in on their old classrooms where their replacements are working with their former students.
Pastors and teachers extend that courtesy out of simple professionalism. Haggar has a law making his presence in the Capitol and at political events with legislators and lobbyists highly suspect.
Besides, Don, you have Andrew Curley on the Americans for Prosperity payroll as your official lobbyist. Let him do his job, and don’t create even the appearance that you are breaking the law.