Our proposed reforms

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xSpecial Editorial Series: Access to Power

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November 11, 2009

Anonymous The Herald Bulletin Wed Nov 11, 2009, 02:46 PM EST

Our proposed reforms

Twenty-three Indiana newspapers, serving more than 1.5 million readers, have banded together to advocate for the following reforms:

• Legislators may not accept any gift worth more than $50 in value from registered lobbyists.

• Lobbyists must disclose the value of all goods and services offered to individual legislators or groups of lawmakers, including meals, tickets to sporting and entertainment events, or other gifts.

• Legislators may not accept gifts, including payment of travel-related expenses, from businesses, organizations or individuals that do business with the state.

• Legislators may not accept meals, tickets to athletic games or other events, or any other gift valued at more than $50 from state universities or colleges.

• Former legislators may not work as registered lobbyists until one year after they leave office.

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xSpecial Editorial Series: Access to Power

Legislator to lobbyist: Indiana's revolving door The Indiana General Assembly isn’t a destination for some legislators. It’s a launching pad.
December 16, 2009
Editorial: Hoosier Park playing by broken set of rules Hoosier Park and its parent company, Centaur, spent more than $530,000 lobbying members of the Indiana General Assembly during the annual reporting period that ended April 30. That’s the largest lobbying total for any business in Indiana.
November 23, 2009
Editorial: Senior legislator Kenley should have known better Luke Kenley, a member of the Indiana Senate for almost 18 years, should have known better.
November 23, 2009
Lobbying: Racino, parent firm spent $534,434 in ‘09 ANDERSON — In the high-stakes game of paying for political influence, Hoosier Park and its parent company have more money on the table than nearly anyone.
November 21, 2009
One lawmaker’s bounty: Indiana House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend
November 16, 2009
Editorial: Bauer’s lobby reform plan falls well short Efforts to push legislative ethics reform through the Indiana General Assembly have long faced an insurmountable obstacle in the person of House Speaker Pat Bauer.
November 16, 2009
Our proposed reforms Twenty-three Indiana newspapers, serving more than 1.5 million readers, have banded together to advocate for the following reforms:
November 11, 2009
One lawmaker's bounty: David Wolkins What he had to say: “In my 20 years, I’ve gained a lot of friends in the lobbying community. They know that I like sporting events.’’
November 11, 2009
Lobbyists channel handouts to key members of legislative committees State Rep. David Wolkins isn’t shy about what he likes: golf, basketball and football. As ranking Republican member and former chairman of the Indiana House Environmental Affairs Committee, he’s in a position to indulge his interests thanks to the very companies he’s supposed to help regulate.
November 11, 2009
One lawmaker's bounty: Trent Van Haaften What he had to say: “I make my decisions in the legislature based upon what I think is right and wrong, not on who invited me to dinner.’’
November 11, 2009
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