April 04, 2007 03:36 PM UTC

Out Come the Robocalls

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• by: Colorado Pols

It’s that time of year again, even in an off-year, as the Denver Post reports:

Two state lawmakers filed ethics complaints Tuesday accusing lobbyists for Colorado homebuilders of falsely claiming the legislators were pushing a bill that would raise taxes and help trial lawyers.

The allegations come amid an aggressive campaign by builders against a measure that would restore the ability of some homeowners to sue over construction defects.

“While this practice of hard ball politics seems to be a lobbying tactic, I find the practice of lying to my constituents completely unethical,” Borodkin wrote.

It is legal for groups to run ads about lawmakers, but the complaints cite a legislative rule that prohibits lobbyists from attempting to influence lawmakers “by means of deceit” or threats.

The complaint names Steve Durham, lobbyist for the Colorado Association of Homebuilders, and William Mutch, lobbyist for Colorado Concern…

“And I am angry that we have Amendment 41 that makes us look like a bunch of profiteering legislators, … when I think that people need to be looking at the lobbyists,” [Borodkin] said. [Pols emphasis]

Robocalls are cheap. If it’s shocking to see them used eighteen months away from the next election, it probably shouldn’t be.

Having said that, we’ve never heard of a constituent who wanted to receive one, and many insiders doubt their efficacy for anything besides inspiring backlash. In fact, some say robocalls would do more good if they backhandedly endorsed the opposite of their backers’ goals.

Which would probably be illegal…