Lobbyists pay perks to area's lawmakers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri lawmakers accepted more than $27,000 worth of freebies from registered lobbyists from the time the 92nd Missouri Legislature convened in January 2003 through July, according to disclosures filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Among the 16 lawmakers representing the region, House Majority Floor Leader Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, received the most largess from lobbyists. During the 19-month period examined, Crowell was credited with $4,840 worth of perks, primarily food.

Crowell said a sizable portion of that amount was lobbyists footing the bill to feed Cape Girardeau elementary school students visiting the Capitol.

"I do something other area legislators don't do which is invite every fourth-grade class in my district for a pizza party," Crowell said. "I ask lobbyists to help entertain our fourth-graders."

Counting students, teachers and parents, Crowell said each visiting group consists of 100 to 200 people creating the need for substantial amounts of pizza and soda. The pizza costs alone top $1,000 a year, he said.

Further driving up the total amount on Crowell's disclosure reports was $1,954 worth of publications he received from the Missouri Bar in 2003. Those publications provide detailed histories of various aspects of state law and are useful in drafting legislation, Crowell said.

The two other Southeast Missouri lawmakers serving in high-ranking legislative leadership posts were also among the biggest beneficiaries of lobbyists' generosity. House Speaker Pro Tem Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, ranked third in that regard among area lawmakers, taking $3,691 in meals and other items. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, was close behind with $3,642 worth of perks.

State Rep. Dan Ward, D-Bonne Terre, took $4,342 in goods and services from lobbyists, second only to Crowell among Southeast Missouri lawmakers and the most among area Democrats.

In addition to free food, lobbyists also provided lawmakers with entertainment and gifts and also helped with travel expenses.

Spurning the generosity of lobbyists were state Reps. Lanie Black and Kevin Engler, who didn't accept a dime in freebies.

Black, R-Charleston, said it has always been his policy not to take gifts from special interest groups, including forgoing campaign donations from political action committees.

"Since the first time I ran for office, I said I wouldn't take money from PACs or lobbyists," Black said. "That is one of those things I don't you can change your mind on once you're elected, so I never have."

Engler, R-Farmington, accepts donations to his campaign from interests but said he is uncomfortable in reaping personal benefits from lobbyists.

The value of perks lobbyists gave to individual lawmakers doesn't include meals provided to large groups of lawmakers, such as to legislative committees that hold hearings over lunch.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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