http://globegazette.com/news/local/upmeyer-challenges-validity-of-ethics-complaint/article_77700b30-09a5-11e1-96e1-001cc4c002e0.htmlMASON CITY - Iowa House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner, challenged the validity Monday of an ethics violation filed against her with the House Ethics Committee.
Committee Chairman Kevin Koester, R-Ankeny, confirmed the committee will consider an ethics complaint at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Confidentiality requirements prevented him from giving any specifics, including who filed the complaint and who it was filed against, he said.
However, Upmeyer confirmed she is the subject of an investigation that claims she is a lobbyist for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) at the same time she is serving in the House.
-snip-
First, she said, ALEC is not a lobbyist. Furthermore, the Iowa Code, in defining a lobbyist, says it does not mean all federal, state, and local elected officials while they are performing the duties and responsibilities of their offices.
-snip-
Kudos to whoever filed this ethics complaint. Even if it isn't successful, it will help make people more aware of the
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and its malign influence.
Influence that WILL look like lobbying (or worse) to many voters.