THE CONCEPT SEEMS simple enough: Taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for lobbyists to convince the Legislature to spend money on the state agencies they represent rather than making smart choices that serve the entire state. But a proposal to make that law got gutted on its way to the full House.

Now it only prohibits state agencies from hiring so-called contract lobbyists. They could still designate state employees to spend all their time hanging out in the lobby, staking out committees, cornering legislators and explaining why whatever their agency wants (usually money, but also changes to state law) is vital. And it means even agencies that don't like this practice will continue to believe they have no choice but to send over lobbyists just to level the playing field.

The watered-down bill would be an improvement: State agencies employ 26 contract lobbyists. But it would be better still to outlaw all state agency lobbying.

That wouldn't prevent any agency from sending over people to testify on matters involving the agency or even meet with legislators to discuss changes they believe are needed in state law. It would merely protect taxpayers from having to pay for the full-time presence of agency representatives at the State House, and the accompanying undermining of the broad view.