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Home arrow Leading The News arrow Rep. Young’s interns cite do’s, don’ts
Leading The News PDF Print E-mail
Rep. Young’s interns cite do’s, don’ts


Alcalde has lobbied on the infamous Coconut Road earmark, which has ensnared Young in a federal investigation.

Kenny said the individuals listed on the guide are “either former staffers (who represent Alaskans) or close friends and former colleagues of Rep. Young, whom he has known for many years.”

A review of campaign finance records shows the “A Team” lobbyists gave Young thousands of dollars in political contributions in recent years.

Chapman said he has worked with Young on policy issues but said he did not know about the office memo.

“I don’t know anything about it,” said Chapman, who said he works with “a lot of different members” of Congress.

Chapman represented clients such as the American Trucking Associations and Doyon, a Native Alaskan organization based in Fairbanks, in 2007, according to a lobbying disclosure form.

Several of the lobbyists with unfettered access to Young’s office lobbied on transportation issues, an area where Young, as former chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wields much power.

Alcalde lobbied on transportation issues for clients such as National Community Renaissance, El Dorado County and Florida Gulf Coast University in 2007 and 2008, according to public records. Alcalde also lobbied on environment appropriations and federal land management for El Dorado County.

Young, as senior Republican on the Natural Resources Committee, has significant influence on environmental issues.

Alcalde did not respond to a request for comment.  

Randy DeLay also lobbied on a variety of transportation issues. He has worked on transportation issues for Motor Coach Industries and maritime issues for the Brownsville Navigation District, according to lobbying records.

Young sits on a Transportation subcommittee that has jurisdiction over maritime transportation.

DeLay did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Most of Young’s colleagues and other government officials did not have the same access as this group of lobbyists.

The office memo instructed interns to check with Anderson, the chief of staff, or Parsons, the executive assistant, when other lawmakers called for staff or Young.

Interns also had to check with Anderson and Parsons when other government officials phoned.

Young has a close relationship with his wife, who goes by Lu. While Transportation Committee chairman, he named a massive transportation authorization bill after her: SAFETEA-LU.

Fifteen guidelines at the top of the “Intern’s Survival Guide” reflect her importance in Young’s office.

Interns are taught that she wants pumpkin seeds when she asks for sunflower seeds and does not like to be called ma’am. Nevertheless, the staff seems to regard her well.

She “means well,” states the guide, which adds with a dose of pride: “This is the best office on the Hill. Remember that.”

The guide also alludes to past mistakes by interns or staff that leave the reader curious for more details. For example: “If you’re being chased by armed police man [sic], don’t try to escape into a metro station.” 


 
 
 
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