Bob Watson, the veteran political reporter for the Jefferson City News-Tribune was the first journalist I saw who described the new job which will soon be held by longtime Missouri Ethics Commission compliance director Michael Reid.
Journalists have a responsibility to speak clearly and cut through jargon. That's why I was so disappointed when I read articles saying Reid was leaving the Ethics Commission to become a governmental services consultant for the Missouri School Boards Association.
A governmental services consultant is a fancy term for lobbyist and Bob Watson wasn't having anything to do with that. He wrote, "Starting July 1, Reid will be the MSBA's main lobbyist at the Capitol, succeeding former Jefferson City Schools Superintendent Chris Straub, who is (mostly) retiring."
I was rather surprised when none of the major metropolitan newspapers mentioned the strangeness of a man who has been responsible for making sure politicians and lobbyists were remaining in compliance with state laws, was suddenly leaving to become a lobbyist.
Of course, I suppose it could have been worse. He could have left to become a politician.
(And yes, that was a cheap shot, but I couldn't resist it.)
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