Two years ago, then state Rep. Tom Emmer made a strident appeal on the House floor to lift a temporary moratorium on new cancer radiation clinics not attached to hospitals.
In a spirited debate, the Republican from Delano called the ban "patently unfair" and "micromanaging in its worst form." He pleaded with lawmakers to let "market forces return."
Earlier this month, the unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate registered as a lobbyist. His only client: Minneapolis Radiation Oncology Physicians, the outfit that wants to extend the moratorium.
Emmer defended the switch, saying he now believes extending the moratorium will ultimately allow the free market to work.
"I am in favor of the free market, absolutely," Emmer said Monday. "But on this issue, you need to be more considerate."
He said if the state were to rip open the marketplace now, "it could be very dangerous … I don't want to destroy what we have."
That was a remarkable statement to the leader of a group that wants to end the ban, and which gave Emmer's gubernatorial campaign $2,000 a year ago.
"I was surprised to hear that, based on his previously stated belief in the free market approach and limited government interference," said Dr. Tom Flynn, president of Minnesota Oncology Hematology PA and chairman of its political-action committee. "I am not quite sure I follow the logic."
In March of 2009, state Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, sponsored a bill to extend the ban to 2014. The ban, which began in 2003, includes 14 counties including the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and Duluth.
House members defeated Emmer's amendment and overwhelmingly passed the moratorium, 90-39. Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the legislation into law.
Emmer will now put his lobbying muscle behind a new proposal to extend the moratorium to 2017.
Emmer has kept a low profile since losing to DFL Gov. Mark Dayton. Aside from his new lobbying venture, he is running for a seat on the Republican National Committee.