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Lawmakers say gifts don't sway votes
DES MOINES (AP) --- A $3 limit on gifts doesn't keep lawmakers from being able to cash in on a variety of food, clothing, novelty items and even toiletries offered by special interest groups that are vying for some of their time and attention during the legislative session.
For example, fudge and root beer are flowing on Taste of Iowa Day, and meatballs are freely handed out. Pens and toothbrushes are distributed with the blessing of the state's underwriters on Insurance Day. Even tiny Statue of Liberty figurines have been handed out as keepsakes to bend a legislators ear for a moments.
Lawmakers also get wined and dined at a variety receptions -- sometimes being invited to as many as three a day.
According to reports filed with the executive branch, about 100 organizations staged events between Jan. 11 and March 24. The costs of the events ranged from $70 to $7,000.
But legislators say their votes aren't swayed, no matter the tastiness of the fare or the neatness of knickknacks -- especially since the state limits the giveaways to just $3.
That limit can be exceeded, within reason, when it comes to what they're allowed to consume at receptions, so long as the hosts are fully disclosing the amount -- including the bar tab -- with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, which posts the information at its Web site.
Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, said Iowa has some of the strictest gift laws in the nation. He said that keeps legislators from getting a complementary sports car or condo in exchange for their good will.
"We definitely don't see those things happening here," Raecker said.
Rep. Chuck Soderberg, R-Le Mars, was passing the Insurance Day booths on Jan. 25 seeing what concerns the organizations were posting when he also grabbed a Squeeze-a-Tube offered by Principal Financial Group's Dental Insurance division. The gadget slides onto a tube of toothpaste to help when the contents get low.
"I don't really look at the freebies, I look at the information," Soderberg said
After taking the gadget he added: "Little things like that will be useful in my apartment."
People staffing the booths hope that lawmakers come to listen to their ideas and get the bonus of an extra treat.
"I want to meet the legislators," said Gary Kraus of Homesteaders, a group that lobbies on behalf of funeral homes. His booth offered gourmet coffee and T-shirts.
Dave McNeill, a Farm Bureau representative, said when the rulers, tape measures, golf balls, coffee cups and other items ran out, so did the conversation.
"We were very popular, but once we got rid of all the stuff, people stopped talking to us," he said.
The public can cry foul and contact the ethics committee if they suspect a giveaway has succeeded the proper amount.
Raecker said lawmakers have done a good job so far of policing themselves.
"I think our responsibility is to make sure the public has confidence that we don't base our policy choices on gifts and receptions," he said. "I've served here seven years, and I'd be hard-pressed to say that any reception or $3 gift had any influence on legislators."
For example, fudge and root beer are flowing on Taste of Iowa Day, and meatballs are freely handed out. Pens and toothbrushes are distributed with the blessing of the state's underwriters on Insurance Day. Even tiny Statue of Liberty figurines have been handed out as keepsakes to bend a legislators ear for a moments.
Lawmakers also get wined and dined at a variety receptions -- sometimes being invited to as many as three a day.
According to reports filed with the executive branch, about 100 organizations staged events between Jan. 11 and March 24. The costs of the events ranged from $70 to $7,000.
But legislators say their votes aren't swayed, no matter the tastiness of the fare or the neatness of knickknacks -- especially since the state limits the giveaways to just $3.
That limit can be exceeded, within reason, when it comes to what they're allowed to consume at receptions, so long as the hosts are fully disclosing the amount -- including the bar tab -- with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, which posts the information at its Web site.
Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, said Iowa has some of the strictest gift laws in the nation. He said that keeps legislators from getting a complementary sports car or condo in exchange for their good will.
"We definitely don't see those things happening here," Raecker said.
Rep. Chuck Soderberg, R-Le Mars, was passing the Insurance Day booths on Jan. 25 seeing what concerns the organizations were posting when he also grabbed a Squeeze-a-Tube offered by Principal Financial Group's Dental Insurance division. The gadget slides onto a tube of toothpaste to help when the contents get low.
"I don't really look at the freebies, I look at the information," Soderberg said
After taking the gadget he added: "Little things like that will be useful in my apartment."
People staffing the booths hope that lawmakers come to listen to their ideas and get the bonus of an extra treat.
"I want to meet the legislators," said Gary Kraus of Homesteaders, a group that lobbies on behalf of funeral homes. His booth offered gourmet coffee and T-shirts.
Dave McNeill, a Farm Bureau representative, said when the rulers, tape measures, golf balls, coffee cups and other items ran out, so did the conversation.
"We were very popular, but once we got rid of all the stuff, people stopped talking to us," he said.
The public can cry foul and contact the ethics committee if they suspect a giveaway has succeeded the proper amount.
Raecker said lawmakers have done a good job so far of policing themselves.
"I think our responsibility is to make sure the public has confidence that we don't base our policy choices on gifts and receptions," he said. "I've served here seven years, and I'd be hard-pressed to say that any reception or $3 gift had any influence on legislators."
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