By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-962748.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A Florida Senator says the state's strict rule on lobbyists' gifts for lawmakers is preventing elected officials from developing relationships with voters. James Call reports, Monday a Senate panel voted to relax one of the toughest legislative gift bans in the country.
Florida lawmakers make about 29-thousand dollars for their work in setting state policy. A law passed in 2005 placed a complete ban on gifts including something as simple as a cup of coffee and bottle of water. Senator Dennis Jones said the ban is bad for self government. It prevents lawmakers from accepting a free dinner when talking to civic groups about issues. He said there are many policy experts in the Legislature. And some of them, said Jones, can't afford to pay $20 for food every time a Rotary Chapter, Kiwanis Club or county commission invites them to speak at a luncheon.
"I'm just telling you while I travel around the state, certainly in my county since the passage of the law, attendance has been next to miserable. people do not go to meetings, or very few go to meetings where there are fees involved. And I said before, if I'm going to spend 10 for breakfast, 20 for lunch, 50 for dinner I'm taking my wife out. I'm not spending money on those functions."
Jones said a pre-legislative meeting hosted by a hospital in his district drew just 3 of a 13-member legislative delegation. He said the ban not only reduces opportunities for lawmakers and citizen to meet and talk, it also prevents lawmakers from attending conferences and discussing issues with experts. Tallahassee mayor John Marks called Jones' bill a job creator. He said in a year of budget cuts which will put people out of work, it provided lawmakers opportunity to have a positive impact on the Capital City's economy. He cited a Florida State University study of the economic impact the gift ban had on Tallahassee's restaurants and hotels.
"In one year my city lost more than $4 million in business. One year and every year $4 million due to this one law. This morning I'm gong to say you have an opportunity to help a small business. You have an opportunity to help some small businesses in my community and we know that is the backbone of any recovery in this economy."
The Florida restaurant lodging association also supported the measure. Stephen W. Metz said basically, the gift ban runs counter to human nature and is preventing civil discussion of common problems.
"For as long as we have been mankind we have always had food and beverage where we sat down and talked about things. And for that to be banned just seemed to be counterproductive to the dialogue and discourse of all that you want to have with your constituents."
The League of Women Voters though is keeping their eyes on the bottom line. Ben Wilcox noted the perception of the influence of money in politics and that lawmakers have already taken what he called a step backwards this year by re-instituting leadership funds. Speaking against Jones' proposal Wilcox said if there is something wrong with a lobbyist buying a lawmaker a cup of coffee it is not the coffee that is wrong.
"As you're colleague Senator Margolis said on the senate floor in 2005 when this law was passed, it's simple-- you just pay your own way which is what I hope you will do and continue to meet with your constituents. That's why it is called public service not public entititlment."
Jones is in the final term of a Legislative career that started in the 1970s. He said he is initiating to correct the unintended consequences of the gift ban to help future lawmakers. He proposes permitting lawmakers to accept anything in value up to 25 dollars. Lawmakers would report quarterly gifts valued between 25 and 100 dollars. Anything valued at more than $100, say an airline ticket or overnight accommodations would need permission from either the House Speaker or Senate President.
"So these are basically the three changes in the gift ban law that I feel will make this process better in the future , I feel we will get more interaction from our constituents not only in Tallahassee but back in our districts."
The proposal passed out of of rules subcommittee on ethics and elections on a 7 to 4 vote. Senator John Thrasher, chairman of the rules committee was one of the 4 no votes.