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Photo by Andy Atkinson Former legislator John Watt says goodbye to his dog, King, at home in Medford Sunday, before setting out for Salem for another week of work as a lobbyist. From lawmaker to lobbyist Watt helps region flex its muscles By PETER WONG SALEM -- After he made members of a House committee sit up and take notice during a hearing in early February, John Watt stood outside a hearing room in the Capitol, buttonholing legislators and lobbyists as they walked through the hallway. After four terms as a state representative from Medford's District 50, he needed no introduction. "This place gets in your blood," he said. "Plus my wife told me I had to earn some money." A little more than a month after he left office, the former Republican legislator is looking at his former colleagues from another angle as a lobbyist for Jackson County government and several Medford businesses. Most have had no lobbyist in the Capitol before. John Watt Age: 50 Position : Principal, John Watt and Associates lobbying firm Clients : Jackson County government, Asante Health System, Burrill Resources, DeCarlow Homes, Home Builders Association of Jackson County, KOGAP Enterprises, LTM Inc., Mahar Homes, Naumes Inc., Rogue Valley Manor, TRF Real Estate Corp. Political career : State representative, District 50 (Medford), 1991-99 Legislative committees : 1997 session, transportation/economic development budget subcommittee, chairman, and public safety/regulation budget subcommittee. 1995-96 interim, Revenue and School Finance, chairman. 1995 session, Labor, chairman; Revenue and School Finance; education budget subcommittee. 1993 session, Rules and Reorganization, chairman; Commerce subcommittee on labor, chairman. 1991-92 interim, Labor, chairman. 1991 session, Environment and Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, Labor. Address: 777 13th St., Suite 120, Salem, OR 97301, telephone (503) 391-5326, fax 391-5352, e-mail [email protected] "It's time for Southern Oregon to flex its political muscle," Watt said. "The way it's generally been done before is for the region to rely on its legislative delegation, which has done a great job. But we are growing, and if we want to run with the big dogs, we have to get off the porch." Commissioner Ric Holt said Jackson County came to that same conclusion for this session. "It made sense to us, looking at what some of the other counties closer by the Capitol get," Holt said. "We thought we'd give it a try; we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. "He knows the lay of the land and he'll be learning a lot about counties at the same time." Unlike Congress, which bars former members from lobbying their one-time colleagues until a year after leaving office, Oregon does not restrict employment of former legislators. But because state ethics law bars officials from using their offices for personal gain, Watt could sign up clients only after he left office Jan. 11. Among Watt's other clients are Naumes Inc., the Medford fruit growing and packing company; developers and home builders; Asante Health System; and the Rogue Valley Manor. His lobbying partner is Fred Segrest, his father-in-law, a retired manager in the state Senior and Disabled Services Division and his legislative assistant in the 1995 and 1997 sessions. Watt returns to Medford most weekends to consult with his clients and be with his wife, Cathy. Watt said among his top issues as a lobbyist is transportation; he headed the relevant legislative budget subcommittee in the 1997 session. In a recent appearance before the House Transportation Committee, he urged members not to let organizational shortcomings of the Oregon Department of Transportation overshadow its need for more money to fix roads and bridges. "As a legislator, John constantly called my attention to those needs of Southern Oregon he thought were important," said Larry Campbell, a Eugene Republican who was House speaker during Watt's first two terms. "Those needs are similar to those of the clients he represents. "In my experience, sometimes you can be more effective as a lobbyist than as a legislator," said Campbell, who now represents the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and other clients. "You can focus on a relatively small field of issues, do a better job of research, and step forward and bring forth that information to legislators." Though it is not uncommon for legislators to become lobbyists after they leave office, Watt is the first one from Southern Oregon to do so since Kip Lombard of Ashland worked on behalf of the Oregon Water Resources Congress after leaving the Oregon House in 1985. Lombard, a lawyer in Ashland and four-term lawmaker, continues to do occasional lobbying. Watt is one of half a dozen state representatives from Jackson County, and just three from Medford, who were in the Oregon House for four two-year terms. Unless voters modify or repeal Oregon's term limits, future representatives can serve no more than three terms. "Being away from home six months every two years does put a strain on relationships," he said. "But given that both my kids are up there near Salem, and my grandson, it did give me a chance to see them more. As far as my ability to earn income was concerned, I lost everything." Then a computer services consultant, Watt had not held public office when he unseated Democrat Ernie Calhoon in a rough-and-tumble race in 1990. It was the fourth time that decade that the District 50 seat switched parties, and the third straight time its incumbent lost. "As I approached my first legislative session, I was advised to keep my head down and my mouth shut, and watch how the game is played," Watt said. "That's good advice for any freshman legislator, regardless of term limits. "Mavericks get their names in the newspapers and faces on television, but generally, they don't get things done. I tried to link up with the people who I've identified can make something happen." Watt had planned to end his political career after the 1995 session to go into a business partnership. "But that political bug bit me again during the interim, and I wanted to go back," he said. Watt won't rule out a future bid for public office, but he said his time in the Legislature was well spent. "I think the positive overshadows the negatives. When people ask me what it was like, I say it was the most incredible experience I have ever had. But I think it's time to move on." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA