Kinder leads statewide officials in lobbyist perks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder accepted substantially more in perks from lobbyists during the first half of this year than the other five statewide elected officeholders combined.

According to disclosure reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission covering January through June, Kinder, a Cape Girardeau Republican, took $1,598 worth of food, entertainment and gifts from registered lobbyists. However, Kinder spokesman Ben Jones said a listing of $500 in food from a Missouri Hospital Association lobbyist was reported in error and that a correction will be made with the ethics commission.

Although the value of perks given to Kinder far outstrips that provided to other statewide officials, Jones said the amount is comparable to what legislative leaders accepted. As lieutenant governor, Kinder is the Senate's presiding officer.

"A lot of it came during the legislative session in his role as lieutenant governor," Jones said.

During the first six months of 2004, however, Kinder's predecessor, Democrat Joe Maxwell, reported taking just $245 in lobbyist perks.

One item on Kinder's report is a desk clock valued at $140 given by Southeast Missouri State University president Dr. Ken Dobbins for serving as the school's commencement speaker in May. Dobbins, who is a registered lobbyist for Southeast, said providing clocks to graduation speakers is a university tradition.

Republican Gov. Matt Blunt has accepted $357 in food and gifts so far this year. A $219 meal tab picked up by S. Dawn Heidbreder, who represents the Missouri Energy Development Association, accounted for more than half of that amount. Jessica Robinson, Blunt's spokeswoman, said the expenditure was for coffee and snacks at a meeting of the governor's appointees to various boards and commission. Robinson said Blunt's campaign intends to reimburse Heidbreder.

The remaining four statewide officeholders took very little largess from lobbyists. Republican State Treasurer Sarah Steelman reported $50; Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill listed $48; and Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan accepted a single meal worth $17.57. Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon received no lobbyist gratuities.

Spokesman Scott Holste said Nixon has accepted perks in the past but not to any great extent.

"Attorney General Nixon has always been at the lower end of these reports," Holste said. "It's part philosophy and in part goes with the position."

The disclosure reports do not include campaign contributions made by lobbyists to state officials.

Among Southeast Missouri lawmakers, House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, was a favorite of lobbyists, who gave him $1,631 in food, gifts, entertainment and travel expenses. That was more than triple the amount provided to any other single legislator in the area but not a surprise given Jetton's powerful legislative leadership position.

Perks given to Jetton included tickets valued at $220 for a Disney on Ice performance of "Finding Nemo" at the Savvis Center in St. Louis. SBC regional director Marsha Haskell provided the tickets for Jetton's family. Haskell also gave tickets valued at $165 for the same production to state Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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