Children rallying against gun violence have been accused by a top GOP legislator of violating state lobbying laws. Jessica Carter reports from Jefferson City.
Taxpayers spent five hundred dollars to send sixty-five St. Louis students to the capitol to demonstrate their views on firearm saftey.
The money was spent to transport the students, but according to St. Louis county representative Todd Akin, tax dollars can't be used for lobbying purposes.
The students' organizer says they came to express their opinions on firearm saftey not to advocate any particular legislation. From the State Capitol, I'm Jessica Carter.
Child lobbyists rallying against firearm violence may be in violation of state law. Jessica Carter reports from Jefferson City.
Sixty-five St. Louis students took a day off from school to take a ride to the state capitol and demonstrate their views on gun saftey.
Their ride was in a rented bus that cost taxpayers five hundred dollars.
According to St. Louis representative Todd Akin, paying for the bus ride with state funds violates lobbying laws. He says tax dollars can't be spent for any lobbying purposes.
But Senator Betty Sims says the students came to the capitol for a learning experience.
The students' organizer says they aren't lobbyists because they aren't advocating any particular legislation. From the state capitol, I'm Jessica Carter.
Child demonstrators against gun violence may be in violation of state lobbying laws. Jessica Carter reports from Jefferson City.
Tax payers spent five hundred dollars to transport sixty-five St. Louis students to the state capitol to rally against firearm violence.
St. Louis Representative Todd Akin says using tax dollars for lobbying purposes violates state law.
But, the group's organizer Mary Wersch says the children aren't lobbyists, they only came to express their opinions.
The students are members of an after school club concerned about gun violence issues. From the State Capitol, I'm Jessica Carter.
Children rallying against firearm violence may be in violation of state lobbying laws. Jessica Carter reports from Jefferson City.
Five hundred tax dollars were spent to send sixty-five St.Louis students to the capitol to demonstrate their views on gun saftey.
St. Louis Representative Todd Akin says state money can't be spent for lobbying purposes and if the students are lobbyists, they're in violation of state law.
Senator Betty Sims agrees that the students are acting as lobbyists.
On the other hand, Sims says the students didn't come to advocate any specific legislation. They only wanted to express their views on gun violence. From the state capitol, I'm Jessica Carter.