From Deseret News archives:

Legislators rake in another $16,000 in treats

Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 12:00 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Utah State University paid $65 to treat Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, to a meal and the football game against the University of Utah on Sept. 13. It also spent $30 that day on a meal for a different unnamed legislator and $20 for parking that day for yet another unnamed lawmaker.

Jay Magure, a lobbyist for 1-800-CONTACTS, reported taking three legislators for golf on Aug. 1. Their names are not disclosed because he reports that it cost $49.10 each — 90 cents under the $50 threshold where their names would have been revealed.

Somewhat similarly, Utah League of Credit Unions lobbyist Lynn Kuehne reported taking three unnamed legislators to dinner on July 22 for $49.67 each — or 33 cents under the threshold where their names would be revealed.

Richard Dibblee, a registered lobbyist for the Utah Bar Association, paid $400 each for three legislators for registration fees to a bar convention in Sun Valley, Idaho. They were Sens. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake; Mark Madsen, R-Lehi; and Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.

Still, such third-quarter spending was tame compared to the first quarter. Back then, lobbyists spent $68,000 that quarter on food. They gave at least $2,280 worth of Utah Jazz tickets to lawmakers. They also gave them at least $563 worth of tickets to college sports.

Story continues below
Also in the first quarter, lobbyists spent more than $21,000 on various forms of entertainment for legislators, including the Utah Symphony and Opera giving lawmakers $2,040 in tickets, and the Hale Center Theater providing $2,520 in play tickets.

The latest disclosure reports come as calls for ethics reform have been gaining attention.

Reps. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, and Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, have been pushing lawmakers to sign a pledge to work for ethics reform in the next legislative session, including full disclosure of who receives lobbyist gifts. Nine other lawmakers signed the pledge at a press event last month when it was unveiled — but the Legislature has 104 members.


E-mail: lee@desnews.com

Recent comments

this article does nothing more then extend the belief that we the...

randy | Oct. 22, 2008 at 12:32 p.m.

What is really ridiculous isn't the "gifts" but instead the pay of...

Ridiculous | Oct. 13, 2008 at 5:38 p.m.

What is a Utah lobbyist (Ty McCartney for computing company...

Rob Alexander | Oct. 12, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Can LDS even be fully commissioned chaplains in the military?

Letters: Left-wing hypocrisy

So, Mr. Obama is only a casual acquaintance of Bill Ayers? Isn't it just a...

Boys basketball rankings

"disgruntled parents need to stay of the blog?" Do we live in Communist China...

Cougars turn back Wildcats'

This is proof that you really are the elite of college BB. Just like the BCS...

Davis man sues over Tasering

The officers should be charged with attempted murder. They attacked an...

Closing the cave was a extreme response to a delicate situation.Sealing the...

Letters: No constitutional right

Re:You're Right "The Constitution definitely DOESN'T give the federal...

BYU will lose big, because I don't like them

She looks brain damaged from malnutrition. Look at her eyes, dried out and...

Give me a Break is about as ignorant as they come, but probably is far from...

Advertisements