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In response to a recent action by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, state Rep. Mike Reynolds announced today that he will file legislation to ensure lobbyists are not allowed to purchase meals for lawmakers at the Oklahoma Capitol.
I know the public already disapproves of lobbyist influence at the Capitol, and I am certain they do not want lobbyists to be allowed to purchase even more meals for legislators,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “There’s no justifiable reason for a lobbyist to buy our meals.”
By a narrow 3-2 margin, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently approved a proposed rule that would allow lobbyists to provide lunch or dinner for a group of legislators at the Capitol building. The rule was passed in spite of the fact that lobbyists are forbidden by law from giving campaign contributions at the Capitol building.
The exemption would be allowed only once per year while the Legislature is in session and the meal would have to be provided at the Capitol. In addition, under the proposed rule, lobbyists would not have to identify lawmakers receiving the meals.
Reynolds said he will file legislation today that disapproves the proposed rule.
When lawmakers receive special perks not available to their constituents it undermines the integrity of the legislative process and creates a perception of corruption,” he said. “I don’t think a free meal is worth that price.”
In response to a recent action by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, state Rep. Mike Reynolds announced today that he will file legislation to ensure lobbyists are not allowed to purchase meals for lawmakers at the Oklahoma Capitol.
I know the public already disapproves of lobbyist influence at the Capitol, and I am certain they do not want lobbyists to be allowed to purchase even more meals for legislators,” said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “There’s no justifiable reason for a lobbyist to buy our meals.”
By a narrow 3-2 margin, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission recently approved a proposed rule that would allow lobbyists to provide lunch or dinner for a group of legislators at the Capitol building. The rule was passed in spite of the fact that lobbyists are forbidden by law from giving campaign contributions at the Capitol building.
The exemption would be allowed only once per year while the Legislature is in session and the meal would have to be provided at the Capitol. In addition, under the proposed rule, lobbyists would not have to identify lawmakers receiving the meals.
Reynolds said he will file legislation today that disapproves the proposed rule.
When lawmakers receive special perks not available to their constituents it undermines the integrity of the legislative process and creates a perception of corruption,” he said. “I don’t think a free meal is worth that price.”
