Missouri Senate debates $40 limit on lobbyist-bought meals

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Lobbyists could each pay for $40 worth of food per lawmaker per day under a proposal unveiled Wednesday by a Missouri senator that would impose the state's first limits on lobbyist gifts.

Sen. Dave Schatz's plan would ban most gifts -- such as sports tickets, travel or spa services -- to lawmakers and public officials but would leave them with a healthy limit for meals. It also would allow for honorary plaques worth up to $50 and would allow lobbyists to spend as much as they would like on meals if all lawmakers and statewide elected officials are invited three days in advance.

Schatz, who so far this year has received about $285 worth of free meals, according to ethics reports, said "the people that come up here, that enjoy interacting with the folks at Capitol" would be unable to do so under a total gift ban, something he called "unrealistic."

Missouri Ethics Commission documents show lobbyists have reported spending close to $60,000 on gifts for lawmakers this year.

House members earlier this year passed a ban on all lobbyist gifts with exceptions for honorary plaques and meals offered to all lawmakers and statewide officials. But that plan faced pushback in the Senate from lawmakers who argued it could reduce transparency and limit lawmakers' access to events if free food is served.

Critics say the Senate proposal doesn't go far enough.

Lawmakers still could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner for free courtesy of different lobbyists, said Democratic Sen. Scott Sifton, of St. Louis County. Reports show he hasn't received any lobbyist gifts this year.

"We're turning the gift ban bill into not a gift-ban bill," said St. Joseph Republican Sen. Rob Schaaf, who also hasn't received any gifts. "But, hey, it's an incremental improvement over what we have now."

Schatz said he "would never satisfy" those who don't view a $40 meal limit as progress.

The proposal is one of several that have gained traction this year as lawmakers work to clean up the Capitol's culture and image following scandals. The former speaker, Republican John Diehl, left office on the last day of the 2015 legislative session after admitting to exchanging sexually suggestive texts with an intern. Paul LeVota, a former Democratic state senator from Independence, stepped down months later amid allegations he sexually harassed interns, which he denied.

In response, lawmakers vowed to revamp ethics policies.

Nixon last week signed into law a six-month waiting period on lobbying after the end of the terms of legislators, statewide elected officials and gubernatorial appointees.

Republican Sen. David Pearce of Warrensburg failed in an effort May 5 to set limits on currently unlimited campaign contributions and to require disclosure of donors to 501(c)(4) organizations that participate in electioneering, which some senators said could mean some donors hoping to influence politics or policy can remain anonymous.

"We're worried about $40 here and $40 there, but we can take a check for $1 million from that same lobbyist," said Pearce, who's received about $941 in lobbyist gifts this session. "Until we come to terms with limiting campaign contributions we really haven't reformed anything."

Sen. Bob Onder, who is ushering the House bill through the Senate and hasn't received any gifts, said it appears likely the House will support the plan proposed today if it is passed by senators.

Lawmakers' deadline to pass legislation is Friday.

Gift limit bill is HB 2166.

Online:

Missouri House: http://house.mo.gov