Rep. Young’s interns cite do’s, don’ts

Several lobbyists, including hired guns who worked on transportation, Interior and Alaska issues, had unparalleled access to Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) congressional staff, according to an unofficial office document .

This is one of several revelations contained in a set of guidelines that has circulated among Young’s interns in recent years.  

{mosads}The suggested procedures shed light on subjects ranging from Young’s close relationship with lobbyists to his wife’s idiosyncrasies.  

The guidelines designate several lobbyists as members of the “A Team.” Interns who answered the phone were instructed to let these lobbyists speak to any staff member requested.

“These people can talk to whomever they want, normally Mike or Sara,” stated the memo in reference to chief of staff Mike Anderson and former executive assistant Sara Parsons.

The document, titled “An Intern’s Survival Guide,” also explains the quirks and personal preferences of Young and his wife Lula.

Young disapproves of “facial piercings,” expects interns to open doors for him and gets annoyed when he sees interns with hands in their pockets.

Mrs. Young “has good days and bad days,” insists on a clean kitchen, dislikes computer noise and cologne and gets annoyed when her advice goes unheeded.

“Eat what she tells you to eat,” warns the memo. “Her orders are often disguised as offers, suggestions or invitations, they are not — do them.”

Meredith Kenny, Young’s communications director, called the memo an “outdated survival guide” that she said “several former interns” pieced together. She said Young’s paid staff did not create the memo.

It was provided to The Hill by Taxpayers for Common Sense, a group that tracks government spending and has criticized Young frequently for supporting earmarks — most notably the “Bridge to Nowhere.”

“This ‘guide’ in no way reflects the official policies of Rep. Young’s office,” said Kenny.

“Rep. Young has welcomed dozens of interns into his office over the years and finds their assistance in the office invaluable. But interns are not staff,” said Kenny.

“It’s always interesting to see how students view their intern experience,” said Kenny. “It appears that some of what they have written is tongue-in-cheek, some to help relieve the daily stresses of working on Capitol Hill. At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure that all interns have the best experience possible.”

Members of the so-called A Team include Rick Alcalde of Potomac Partners, Colin Chapman of Chapman Capitol Consulting Group, Randy DeLay of Public/Private Strategies Consult, Billy Lee Evans of Kessler & Associates Business Services, former Rep. Jay Dickey (R-Ark.) of JD Consulting, C.J. Zane of Blank Rome Government Relations and Jack Ferguson of Jack Ferguson Associates. Randy DeLay is former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) brother.

{mospagebreak}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.

{mosads}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.”