Lobbyist Gift Ban Passed Committee Inauguration Morning
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Lobbyist Gift Ban Passed Committee Inauguration Morning

Date: January 9, 2017
By: Jack Morrisroe
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 60

Intro: 
The lobbyist gift ban took its first step toward passage before the Inauguration, signaling a fast track for the measure.
RunTime: 0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A lobbyist gift ban was the first House measure heard in committee, signaling the priority of the issue for Republican leadership.

Democrats said the measure had too many loopholes, allowing lawmakers to accept gifts in exchange for a quick speech.

The bill sponsor, Republican Representative Justin Alferman, said nitpicking the bill line by line was frivolous.

Actuality:  ALFERMAN.WAV
Run Time: 00:03
Description: I think that's just standing in the way of progress to actually getting this done.

 

Last year, the ban did not pass the Senate after lawmakers said lobbyist gifts do not influence them. 

Reporting from the state Captiol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Intro: 
Democrats decried a fast tracked lobbyist gift ban as full of loopholes, yet only one voted against the measure.
RunTime: 0:32
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: I'm Jack Morrisroe in the state Capitol.

Representative Lauren Arthur was the only no vote of four Democrats and the committee's Republicans. She criticized the measure for allowing gifts through broad exceptions, such as speaking engagements and honors.

Actuality:  ARTHUR1.WAV
Run Time: 00:05
Description: This has loopholes that you could drive a truck full of swag through.

 

Republicans argued that the measure has to be sent to the Senate quickly to have a chance of passing it.

The ban would allow some exceptions to the ban, including flowers, honorary awards and others.