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For Immediate
Release
4/10/08
Contact:
Colleen Greer
(717) 787-6801
Piccola to Unveil Legislation Banning
Lobbyist-Paid Gifts & Hospitality
HARRISBURG
– In an effort to strengthen citizens’ trust in Pennsylvania
state government and prevent the appearance of impropriety, Senator Jeffrey
E. Piccola (R-15) is unveiling legislation that bans gifts, hospitality,
travel, and lodging from registered lobbyists to members of the General
Assembly, their staff, the governor, and the executive branch.
Following the lead of many other states around the country and the United
States Congress’ recent efforts towards changing the rules for lobbying,
Piccola’s legislation would amend Pennsylvania’s 2006 lobbying law by banning
free meals and other forms of gifts.
“For too long, scandal has been the impetus for reform. My
legislation will take major steps towards insulating policymakers from the
sway of special and moneyed interests and strengthening the taxpayers' faith
in their elected and appointed representatives,” said Piccola.
While Pennsylvania law currently requires lobbyists to disclose
how much they spend, the statute does not require, in most cases, that
public officials who are the beneficiaries of such largess be named. A
legal loophole allows a lobbyist to take a public official to dinner, golf,
or other events on multiple occasions without ever identifying the public
official, as long as the lobbyist does it on behalf of different clients and
keeps the cost under $650.
“With my lobbying reform, we are moving to make state government
more transparent and accessible and sending a clear message to all
Pennsylvanians that we put people ahead of special interests," Piccola
said. “Banning free gifts and meals can go a long way in demonstrating our
commitment to reform. The only special interest in Harrisburg should be the
public interest.”
Additional Information:
Reform
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