Free Parking: Should Lawmaker Let Lobbyist Use His Capitol Space?
As anyone who has experienced it can attest, public parking at the state Capitol is scarce and inconvenient — especially during the legislative session.
Most of the several hundred stalls in the basement-level garage are reserved for Senate and House members and staff.
The 66 blue parking meters, meanwhile, allow only four hours parking for $6. It’s common for visitors to the Capitol, stuck in long committee hearings, to get ticketed before they’ve had a chance to plug more quarters in the meter.
But John Radcliffe, one of Hawaii’s biggest lobbyists with 30 clients — including the American Chemistry Council, the Hawaii School Bus Association and Corrections Corporation of America — has an “in” that most members of the public don’t: Sen. Josh Green lets Radcliffe park in his Senate-assigned stall.
No Favoritism?
Is that ethical? Both Green and Radcliffe downplay the arrangement.
The Big Island senator said he does not have a car of his own when he is on Oahu, and that he catches rides from the airport from his wife or staff. He stays at a place just a short walk from the Capitol.
State Sen. Josh Green (at left).
“I have never parked a car at the Capitol,” he said. “But if there is not a parking spot around, I don’t care who else uses mine.”
Green is allowed two stalls. One goes to his office manager, Fele Tau. The other goes to his legislative aide, George Massengale.
Massengale said he parks there about “80 percent of the time. … John uses it on occasion.”
Radcliffe agreed with the 80 percent figure and said he did not ask Green for the privilege — something Green confirmed.
The senator and the lobbyist both shrugged off any notion that any favoritism or influence is involved.
“He opposes me on almost all my bills,” said Green. “He blocked the Monsanto bill. I was the lead trying to get the GMO labeling bill passed, and he represented Monsanto.”
When asked the same question, Radcliffe wasn’t so civil.
John Radcliffe at the Capitol.
“Influence?” he said sarcastically. “Josh rolls over for me every fucking day …. Yeah, Josh always gives me everything I want.”
Referring to Civil Beat’s interest, Radcliffe said, “Must be awfully fucking slow today.”
Like most lobbyists, Radcliffe certainly has an interest in having a good relationship with a state senator. He and lobbying partner Red Morris gave $3,500 to Green’s campaign in the 2006-2008 election cycle and $5,000 in the 2008-2010 cycle.
Radcliffe’s clients also have other interests besides GMOs, and Green is chairman of the Senate Health Committee. Other Radcliffe clients include United Healthcare Services Inc.
Green and Massengale said others are sometimes allowed to use the parking spot, too, such as volunteers and directors of the American Cancer Society and other medical associations.
Reserved Capitol parking for a state senator.
According to the Senate’s parking policy, which is reproduced below, each legislator is entitled to a reserved parking stall — “reserved for the legislator’s exclusive use during the legislator’s term of office.”
Parking for employees is based on availability and is at the discretion of the Senate Clerk. The policy states, “Employees who are assigned parking shall not transfer this privilege to others.”
Radcliffe has another parking option at the Capitol, but also only when it is available. And it doesn’t come from a lawmaker.
“I park in the vendor spot, which is way in the back where Roz Baker’s car is parked,” he said. “I talk to the Senate Clerk and ask if I can park for a couple minutes, yes or no.”
Senate Clerk Carol Taniguchi said, to her knowledge, Radcliffe hasn’t used the spot at all this session. Senators know about the vendor stall option (there are two), and when they have a guest during a big meeting or event at the Capitol, they are allowed to use it — as long as there is no vendor in the stall.
Most times, Radcliffe parks where the meters are. By his count there are 88 meters, not 66.
“There are days when all parking meter spots are full, and there are only 88 spots,” he said. “That’s why I know.”
