Bill would ban free tix to lawmakers....check out the Last Paragraph!

[AnnInLa]

Bill would ban free tickets for lawmakers from lobbyists
By BRETT TROXLER
[e-mail]
2theadvocate.com staff
From a report by WBRZ's Marvin McGraw

Advocate file photo
Dardenne
A state senator from Baton Rouge is planning to push a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would prohibit lawmakers from getting free tickets to sporting and cultural events they get from lobbyists and some state universities.

Sen. Jay Dardenne has backed a similar bill in previous years but did not gather enough support. This year he's been able to rally 11 co-sponsors.

"We've a very strong ethics law in Louisiana that prohibits elected officials from receiving gifts," Dardenne said. "There is an exception to that law that allows elected officials to receive tickets to sporting events and cultural events if the value does not exceed $100. It's an exception to the law; it's an exception I don't think should be part of the law."

A few weeks ago one member one lawmaker sparked an outrage when he complained that the $100 limit on the amount lobbyists can spend on those tickets was too low and the seats at sporting events were too far away as a result.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/033005/new_perks001.shtml

[biscotti]

1. Good grief

The last paragraph ignorant and disgusting.

[grimcity]

2. AAARRRRGH!

We suffer from a hypocriticial duality here...
On one hand, all of our politicians (Dem and Repub alike) take a conservative stance on nearly every social issue, because conservatism sells itself as being "morally superior" to the liberal viewpoint (when in reality, liberalism is nothing but moral in regards to the well being of the populace, especially when you consider the state of modern conservatism).
The hypocracy is that these same politicans crap all over proper ethics... these people we put in power have a chance to practice the idealism they preach, yet they don't. I'm so sick of the "corrupt politician" cliche' being backed up and reenforced over and over again by knuckle heads.
These people are our employees... not royalty. How is it that we allow this cycle of arrogance to continue? Where are the honest, ethical candidates?