Simultaneously working as a state representative and a lobbyist for a plastics and chemical trade group is unlikely to score high points when it comes to political integrity. 

But this was the case for Rep. Joe Souki, who worked for 18 months for the American Chemistry Council, an industry association that speaks for chemical companies. He was allowed to vote last year on a bill banning styrofoam, an incident first reported by Civil Beat. 

A Hawaii representative, also working as a lobbyist for the American Chemistry Council, was allowed to vote on a bill that would implement a 10-cent fee for plastic bags. The House Speaker defended the decision: “Just because he represents that company does not mean he cannot vote up or down on the measure.”

Read more from Civil Beat’s series on state accountability here.