By Max McCoy
Globe Investigative Writer
A Missouri House bill to prevent lobbyists from wining and dining informal legislative caucuses without disclosing the names of the lawmakers involved would dramatically change the way lobbyists for Empire District Electric Co. and others do business in Jefferson City.
The bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles, has been sent to the Senate and, with only a week left in the session, may be the Legislature's last chance to pass any type of campaign reform this year.
A Senate campaign reform bill that would remove limits on political contributions has stalled in the House.
Empire District has spent $13,455 on lobbying since 2003, according to a Globe review of disclosure reports on file with the Missouri Ethics Commission. The biggest year was 2003, when lobbyists spent $7,384 on behalf of the Joplin utility. In 2004, the total was $2,688, and in 2005, it was $3,382.
The Southwest Missouri Caucus received the largest total amount since 2003, at $1,686 in food and beverages, followed by the entire General Assembly, at $1,453. The House Republican Caucus received $997; the Communications, Energy and Technology Committee received $827; and the entire Missouri Senate got $781.
Even the Irish Caucus received $200 from Empire in 2003.
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, led the list of individual lawmakers collecting food and beverages, at $503. State Sen. Gary Nodler, another Joplin Republican, received only $53 worth of food and beverages from Empire lobbyists, according to Ethics Commission reports.
But Nodler's chief of staff, Barbara Mustoe, was reported as receiving food and drinks valued at $457.
Local News
House measure would force disclosure of food, beverage gifts
- Local News
-
-
Nebraska high court won’t take up pipeline case
The Nebraska Supreme Court has refused to hear a direct challenge to the state’s new pipeline siting law.
-
OKC police say 1 man hurt in machete attack
Oklahoma City police say a man was injured when two people broke into his home overnight and cut him with a machete.
-
Going green isn’t easy for historic buildings
A St. Louis man’s effort to put solar panels on the roof of his bar is meeting with some resistance, highlighting a problem that is occurring around the country.
-
Prosecutor’s office asking state if campaign used county assets
The Jasper County prosecuting attorney’s office is asking the Missouri attorney general’s office to investigate whether Sheriff Archie Dunn has used the assets of his office for his re-election campaign.
-
Service dogs participate in ceremony recognizing them for their work
The Carl Junction post office has a reputation for promoting the release of special postage stamps in unique ways. Wednesday was no different.
-
Volunteers from Tuscaloosa paying it forward in Joplin
As the teens moved farther along the bleachers they were painting, splotches of bright red paint kept appearing where it didn’t exactly belong. On the ground. On their arms and legs. On their clothing.
-
Webb City mural taking shape at corner of Main, Broadway
Last Thursday, the north wall of the Middlewest Building at Main Street and Broadway was white. Eighteen gallons of paint and a whole lot of red Solo cups later, it will be a completed community mural depicting the Webb City Farmers Market.
-
Filing deadline approaching for county offices in Kansas
The candidacy filing deadline for those seeking Kansas county offices that are subject to the Aug. 7 primary election is noon Friday.
-
Economic development strategies emerge from Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative meeting
More than 30 people shared ideas Wednesday on ways to promote economic development in the seven counties that are participating in the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
-
Mike Pound: Singing the praises of music teacher
When I was in sixth grade, Sister Susan, the music teacher at St. Xavier’s Catholic School, walked over to me while I and my fellow students were singing at Easter midnight Mass and said a bit loudly: “Mike, don’t sing.”
- More Local News Headlines
-
Nebraska high court won’t take up pipeline case
