Do State House relationships affect public policy?
By Paul Bean
Does a private romance ever become the public’s business? Maybe, when the pair concerned are a chairman of a Senate committee and a lobbyist whose firm represents many clients seeking to influence the outcome of legislation.
A Facebook post by statehouse activist James Ehlers earlier this week congratulates Senator Chris Bray (D-Addison), chairman of the VT Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, and Maggie Lenz a lobbyist and vice-president of Leonine Public Affairs, for “finding love in the committee room” this past session. This screen shot of the photo on Lenz’s Facebook page is attached:
It’s not seen here, but on the original post friends commented, congratulating the couple on their relationship. Also, a Statehouse insider has seen them numerous times “out on the town” in Montpelier. The post is not visible now on a public Facebook page published by Lenz.
What’s the harm, right? Two adults who know each other at work, apparently finding a deeper relationship? Bray and Lenz are both pleasant people with obvious shared values on politics and policy, at least. And the rules of the Senate don’t penalize legislator/lobbyist social fraternizing. Neither are Bray and Lenz the first people working under the Golden Dome to socialize outside of it.
But as suggested by Ehlers, the potential for conflict of interest exists.
“Congratulations to the chairman of the VT Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and the Vermont Gas Systems/Green Mountain Power lobbyist on finding love in the committee room this past session,” said James Elhers on his Facebook post that included the photo of Bray and Lenz. “Not so, though, for ratepayers and our ecosystems.”
Ehlers is a water quality activist, former candidate for Governor, and an associate with Vermonters for a Clean Environment. He is an outspoken critic of the grip the renewable power industry has on environmental policy-making in Montpelier.
In the Facebook post, Elhers appeared to be referring to the fact that Vermont Gas Systems, Green Mountain Power, and Avangrid Renewables (three organizations Leonine represents) have significant stake in the decisions made by the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee, which Bray chairs.
Maggie Lenz official title is Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications for Leonine Public Affairs. Leonine is a top-tier State House contract lobbying firm. She is a frequent presence in the Vermont State House. Lenz’s bio on Leonine Public affairs websites says:
“She came to Leonine after working both as an organizer and as the Finance Director for the Vermont Democratic Party, and served for a time as the Chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee. She has a demonstrated history of creating and implementing strategic communications campaigns that achieve results. She has close ties to members of the media and Vermont elected leaders and influencers, and is well equipped to leverage successful lobbying and grassroots organizing efforts. She has strong connections all over Vermont and a passion for working on local issues.”
Bray sponsored S.5, The Affordable Heat Act, “An act relating to affordably meeting the mandated greenhouse gas reductions for the thermal sector through efficiency, weatherization measures, electrification, and decarbonization.” He also supported the Renewable Energy Standards bill that provides more leeway for renewable power companies to build generating facilities in Vermont.
A client of Leonine, Paul Copleman, Avangrid Renewables Communications Manager, writes as a testimony on their website, “The team at Leonine Public Affairs quickly and effortlessly became an extension of our staff. They are smart, tireless, and well-respected voices in Vermont…Their comprehensive PR, Advocacy, and organizing efforts covered a range of strategic and tactical areas for us, and we always felt their guidance was incisive, and most importantly, grounded in what made sense for Vermont communities.”
Copeland’s company, Avangrid Renewables, has built renewable energy projects all over the country, including the 30 megawatt Deerfield wind-farm in southern Vermont. This is but one of the projects Avangrid Renewables is involved in. Iberdrola, the international parent company of Avangrid, has stakes in Africa, South America, Europe, the United States, and Australia.
Requests for comment were emailed to Bray and Leonine Public Affairs. Neither have responded.