Liberal group Progress Missouri files ethics complaint against lobbyists over $3,000 dinner at Dallas steakhouse
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Liberal group Progress Missouri files ethics complaint against lobbyists over $3,000 dinner at Dallas steakhouse

Date: October 15, 2014
By: Steven Anthony
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
After lobbyists treated Missouri lawmakers to more than three thousand dollars worth of meals in Dallas, one liberal group has filed an ethics complaint.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: At issue in the complaint is a loophole that allows lobbyists to not disclose who they are when they treat lawmakers to these dinners.

Executive Director of Progress Missouri Sean Nicholson says it would be impossible for every lawmaker to get to Dallas for a Saturday night steak dinner.

Actuality:  SSNICH.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "When lobbyists file reports and say the entire General Assembly was at a Dallas steakhouse in August, we know and basic common sense tells us that's not true."

When asked about the matter, House Speaker Tim Jones said his personal policy is not to accept any gifts from lobbyists.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.

Intro: 
Missouri's House Speaker responded to an ethics complaint from a liberal watchdog group that accused lobbyists of refusing to disclose their names after giving a steakhouse dinner to lawmakers at a conference in Dallas.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House Speaker Tim Jones said he did not know much about the complaint from liberal watchdog group Progress Missouri, but he did say he has a personal policy for gifts given to him.

Actuality:  JONESETH.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "It's been my intention to reimburse any and all gifts that are given to me as speaker, which I think is very notable given that I have the most powerful office many argue in the General Assembly."

Progress Missouri Executive Director said not all members received a written invitation, which he says is required by Missouri law.

He points to two public comments made by Democratic Representative Jeremy LaFaver and Republican Representative Caleb Rowden.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Steven Anthony, NewsRadio 1120 KMOX.