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Lobbyist labors against the tide By PETER WONG His second stint at the Capitol was cut short, but Lon Holston of Central Point says he would like to return as a lobbyist for the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers. Two years ago, Holston took a leave from his job at the Medite division of Sierra Pine to be an advocate for the union during the legislative session. He continued as its advocate during the first months of this session, based weekdays in Salem, until union finances forced him to return home. "My ability to track issues was easier this session," he said. "Not only did I know many of the issues, some of them came back like the plague." He referred to such longtime issues as a change in Oregon's voter-approved minimum wage to allow a portion of tips to offset wages. The House defeated it on a tie last session, but passed it this session. The House also passed a business-backed bill to allow employers to place workers returning from family medical leave in "equivalent" jobs. This session has yielded few victories in the House for Holston and other labor lobbyists. The House has more Republicans, more conservatives, and more first-term members unwilling to break with their leaders. "Whether you work on a scaffold, in the fields or in an office building, I think you are under acute attack this session, more so than last session," Holston said. "The giveaways to corporate Oregon also have increased. I doubted that the Legislature could give away much more, but it has been inventive in giving business bigger tax breaks." He said his union gave him leeway to be an advocate for other issues, such as state support of education, social services, land use and transportation. Holston said lobbying has value. "A lobbyist is not only a source of information," he said. "That person can help legislators make the right decisions _ if legislators are willing to listen." A lobbyist for the Oregon State Industrial Union Council and Communications Workers of America last session, Diane Rosenbaum of Portland, won an open House seat for this session. Holston had hoped to do the same. He was the Democratic nominee for the District 51 seat that 10-term Republican Eldon Johnson vacated because of term limits, but Holston lost to Republican Jason Atkinson of Jacksonville. The district covers southwest Jackson County and part of Josephine County. Until his recent departure, Holston got to see Atkinson regularly. Atkinson is a member of the House Business and Consumer Affairs Committee, which handles labor legislation that Holston was interested in. Holston also was drawn by legislation in some of Atkinson's other committees. But they spoke rarely, if ever. "From the campaign, I knew what his issues and directions were," Holston said. "I knew he would vote pretty consistently with the Republican leadership. So it made no sense for me to go and lobby him for something he was not likely to endorse. Lobbyists spend time with swing voters, not with members likely to oppose your views." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA