Editorial: Follow the money through Missouri's revolving door : Stltoday

Editorial: Follow the money through Missouri's revolving door : Stltoday

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He's also going to lobby for corporate clients, following the ethically questionable path established by Republican strategist David Barklage. See, if you can control some access to corporate dollars, help set public policy by writing and lobbying for bills, and direct a cadre of elected representatives by being their chief political adviser, well, let's just say there's money to be made.

To give Mr. Tilley some credit for transparency, he's not hiding anything.

For instance, in the closing days of the 2012 legislative session, Mr. Tilley appointed his longtime friend, former Speaker of the House Rod Jetton, to co-chair a "blue ribbon" transportation committee. That committee's purpose was to hold public hearings around the state this summer to determine what the state's highway needs are.

No doubt, some of the recommendations will involve a proposed toll road on Interstate 70, or other options that will put money in the pockets of some of the state's largest construction companies, particularly the concrete firms, and engineering firms, such as the one for which Mr. Jetton now works.
Fact is, the state's roads and highways need work. No dispute there.
But as that debate unfolds, Mr. Tilley's role will be worth watching.

Why?