Bill for 2013 would ban gifts from lobbyists to law makers

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5/13/2010: Newspaper Story - On the day before the close of the legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly passes a few bills dealing with priorities this year, but ethics reform remains.

12/15/2010: Newspaper Story - House Speaker Steve Tilley says he is encouraging House members to swear off lobbyist gifts.

12/15/2011: Radio Story - A state's House member proposed capping political contributions and creating new restrictions for lobbyists.

Intro:	The gravy train of money your elected officials from special interest groups will be cut off if a freshman Senator has his way, KMOX's Brendan Cullerton has more on the bill banning gifts from lobbyists to legislators.
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Wrap: St. Louis Senator elect Scott Sifton's bill would even ban gifts to a legislators staff or family,a year after Missouri set a state record for campaign contributions.

Sifton says lawmakers get money from taxpayers already, and they can run to McDonalds or Subway for lunch just like everyone else.

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Description: "There's no reason we should be doing it. Taxpayers already pay legislators 104 dollars a day for every day in session for meals and lodging, and that should be sufficient."

Rupublican Columbia Senator Kurt Schaeffer says not accepting gifts helped him get to office, and voters decide for themselves who is captive to bribes on election day.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.

Intro:	A freshman Senator says enough is enough with special intrest groups throwing money at Senators. KMOX's Brendan Cullerton has more on the bill banning gifts from lobbyists to state legislators.
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Wrap: St. Louis Senator elect Scott Sifton says he is in the minority of legislators as one of a few dozen that do not accept gifts from lobbyists.

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Description: "There's probably a middle of the pack if you will, of folks that take some but not a ton, and then there are a few that seem to take an aweful lot.

The bill would even cut off lawmakers staff and family from lobbyist presents.

Sifton says accepting gifts tarnishes the image of the legislature and affects how it is run.

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Description: "I think people assume that lobbyists spend that money for a reason. I don't think they would be doing it if they didn't think it helped them."

Similar measures failed in recent years, as opposition claimed it violated free speech.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.