Leslie Turk

Ethics board says no to wining/dining perk

by Leslie Turk

The Louisiana Board of Ethics wants no part of Democratic state Rep. Noble Ellington's bill to allow lobbyists to pay more than $50 to entertain legislators and other public officials while they are attending state, regional or national conferences. The new state law, part of sweeping ethics reform measures enacted last year, allows such an exception to the $50 cap only for an event, like a dinner, that is held in conjunction with a conference. Ellington wants to be able to exceed the limit for any entertainment "held during the same time period and in the same general locale."

The Advocate reported today that the board is sending its objection to the Winnsboro representative's bill to the governor. The ethics board also opposes another bill that would further water down the ethics reform law by giving officials free admission to a number of events they are currently required to pay for.

Read the story here.