Wayne Hammon, finalist for the special assistant to the president for the governmental relations position, said Monday that the University of Idaho needs to connect with the governor’s office and build relationships between alumni and its legislators.
Hammon presented ideas in the Student Union Building’s Borah Theater during an open forum.
“I think year-round advocacy to the legislature and to the executive branch must be done,” Hammon said. “As of yet, very little attention’s been paid to the separate but equal branch of the government: the executive branch. There’s not been a lot of lobbying in the governor’s office or the state board office or that sort of thing. I think that needs to change to be successful.”
Hammon, the state budget director in the governor’s office, said no institution of higher learning has lobbied him yet this year.
“That needs to change. Now in past years — I have,” Hammond said. “Last year, we worked really hard on the agriculture extension budget. It was one of only three agency budgets in the state that wasn’t cut last year. K through 12 education, the Department of Health and Welfare, and cows.”
Samantha Perez, ASUI president, said ASUI will be taking Hammon’s advice.
“I’m trying to meet with Governor Otter this semester and I’ve already sent his office a letter,” Perez said.
The other thing Hammon said he would like to see is the university telling its story to the legislature through human connections
“We produce high quality graduates who drive the economy of the state, and I don’t think anyone takes credit for that,” Hammon said. “We might have a graduate of the music department living in Salmon who knows their state representative who happens to be a music buff. Well, the alumni will be able to make that connection through that system.”
Hammon said his job would be connecting with potentially influential alumni and providing them with the information they need to make those contacts.
“So that when I run into that legislator two weeks later, I can say ‘Well, I understand Mary Sue came and talked to you,'” Hammon said. “I want to find alumni from Twin Falls to go see the Twin Falls representatives. … Identify people out of the communities. Lobbying is much more effective in someone’s kitchen than it is in their office in Boise.”
Hammon was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to the state budget office four-and-a-half years ago. Hammon’s tenure has given him an understanding of how the Idaho budget works, he said.
“I know every little nook and cranny of the state budget,” Hammon said. “There is the general fund which is what we all target, but there are hundreds of little dedicated funds that don’t get as much press, but have money in them.”
During that time, Hammon has also worked as an adjunct at the College of Western Idaho.
As Otter’s term comes to an end, Hammon said he is looking for a job where he can give back to the state of Idaho.
ASUI Senator J. Jacob Marsh said while it is too early decide if Hammon is the candidate for the job, Hammon seemed to bring the experience UI needs.
“He seems to understand what this university has to offer to the state of Idaho,” Marsh said. “… And to the communities, we are based in. I hope the other two candidates provide him some hard competition. The best thing for the university is to have three solid candidates to choose from.”
Joe Stegner, Idaho State Senator from Nez Perce County, is another candidate for the job and will speak at 11 a.m. today in the Borah Theater.