From Deseret News archives:
Meals, golf among lobbyists' gifts
Most lawmakers are anonymous on the latest report disclosures
Once again, the latest lobbyist disclosure reports that had to be filed Thursday with the state Elections Office show Utah lawmakers received these and other gifts from representatives of a wide variety of private and public organizations.
Because state law only requires recipients to be named if the amount of the gift is valued at more than $50, most reports don't specify which lawmakers accepted the offers made by individuals hired to represent interest groups.
So when SelectHealth lobbyist Eliana White listed nearly $800 in meals for lawmakers during the second quarter of 2008, she did not have to name any of them because the individual cost apparently always fell below the $50 threshold.
Nor did veteran lobbyist Paul Rogers, who represents more than 30 clients including the Utah Bankers Association. Rogers had more than 50 separate meal and entertainment expenses listed that totaled over $1,000 but none exceeded the limit.
But Pfizer lobbyist Shelby Fletcher went ahead and reported that her only expense last quarter, nearly $32 for a dinner at the Market Street Grille, was for Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful.
And several lobbyists even reported their campaign contributions. Under the law, it's up to candidates to disclose where their money comes from and their next reports aren't due until Sept. 2.
"We encourage full transparency," said Joe Demma, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert who oversees the state elections office. "Obviously, we are fans of full transparency, so while the law may not require it, it's not ever a bad thing to do."
Peggy Harrison, lobbyist for the Utah Rural Telecom Association in Central Valley, submitted a list of $100 and $200 donations to more than dozen legislators. She said she knew she didn't need to report the $4,900 in contributions but decided to do it anyway.
"I just like to be honest and up front, and I think everything should be disclosed," Harrison said. "We had no lobbying this quarter, none. But we did do contributions because this is a campaign year."
William Rose, a lobbyist for ATK Space Systems and Sensors in Clearfield also listed a campaign contribution, a $1,000 donation to Senate Assistant Majority Whip Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse. Rose, though, referred to Killpack as a representative, not a senator.
Recent comments
My spouse represented two counties and recorded 9000 uncompensated...
tired of reading this | July 12, 2008 at 7:19 p.m.
What you do not realize is that we have multiple Lobbyists for the...
Anonymous | July 11, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.
I don't know if Jazz tickets would be considered a gift, per se,...
T_H_R_O | July 11, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.
- Packers defense big in win 7:01 p.m.
- Nowitzki leads Mavs past Pistons 6:51 p.m.
- Cardinals rally for 31-20 win 6:31 p.m.
- Layton home has $100K in damages 6:24 p.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 6:21 p.m.
- It was past time for Dobbs to go 6:11 p.m.
- Lessons from tempting the universe 6:11 p.m.
- Web surfers spill their guts on Net 6:11 p.m.
- Fight over smoking hurts family 6:11 p.m.
- Lack of languages limiting 6:11 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
361 - BYU happy to escape with victory
226 - TCU creams U.
218 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
202 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
133 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - RSL heads to MLS title game
119 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
Sears is holding a special VIP night Sunday, Nov. 15, in stores and online.
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
TCU is fortunate to be 4th, coming from a weak conference. There is no...
Yeah, look at that! Utah still ahead of BYU. Look for that gap to widen...
TCU is the small school that carries every other little school's hope for a...
This is the wrong place to vent. If you really want change we'll see you at...
Great post Sacramento/SLC Aggie Alum, you hit the nail on the head. This team...
To: gays, please explain this: | 2:01 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "Please explain...
if you times 9k by the number of students that would be a great amount off...
Hey Cougar fans, it could be worse. You could be a USC fan right now. Most...
Precious Nemelka Family, please know you are in our prayers. As parents of a...
In two weeks we'll all know which team is best. Trash talking does nothing...
