By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
An ethics reform bill may be proposed in the upcoming legislative session, but parameters of a proposal have not yet been determined, Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard said Monday.
Richard, of Joplin, made the comment at a Globe editorial board meeting attended by nearly 20 Republican House members, the majority of whom chair legislative committees.
Most of the GOP lawmakers said they favor steps to increase transparency in campaign giving, but none said they would support reinstating limits on campaign contributions. Several said their votes are not influenced by campaign contributions.
Similar invitation
The lawmakers addressed a wide variety of issues at the gathering, which was arranged by Richard at the invitation of the Globe. A similar invitation has been offered to House Democrats via Paul LeVota, D-Independence, who is minority floor leader.
Richard, citing a House member’s recent indictment in a bribery case, said ethics reform will be discussed by House leadership and may lead to a bill proposed in the 2010 legislative session.
“Some are for changes, and some are not,” he said of opinions among members of the House GOP caucus. “We’ll visit it, but I’ve determined no parameters.”
Rep. T.D. El-Amin, D-St. Louis, pleaded guilty in September to a federal bribery charge for accepting $2,100 in exchange for trying to help a gas station owner resolve problems with city government.
Richard said he believes any legislative proposal should address “closing some loopholes.”
“But people should be able to give what they want,” he said. “It should be transparent and direct, to the campaign and not through committees.”
Democratic view
LeVota, in a phone interview after the Globe meeting, cited issues raised in a recent series of stories in The Kansas City Star on campaign contributions, including some to Richard, and legislative action on bills. He said Missouri residents want to see limits on the amount individual donors can give to campaigns.
“House Democrats also are for transparency, but more money only causes more questions,” he said. “It’s frustrating the speaker has no better parameters for ethics reform.”
Richard said campaign contributions “do not steer votes,” and noted that big contributions also are made in races for executive offices such as governor.
“There is no quid pro quo,” he said. “When they give, it’s supporting (Republican) values and principles.”
LeVota said during the phone interview that he plans, in the coming session, to introduce a bill he sponsored last year that would set individual contribution limits of $500 for candidates for state House seats, $1,000 for Senate posts and $2,000 for statewide positions.
Richard said he does not believe GOP lawmakers assign more importance to bigger donations.
“I’ve never had anyone try to influence me based on a contribution,” said Rep. Bob Nance, R-Excelsior Springs.
Rep. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, agreed. He said earlier legislation had ensured that all contributions would be reported. He said political action committees could be addressed, noting that the organizations were formed before contribution limits were lifted.
While saying they were not influenced by contributions, several of the lawmakers said they had returned campaign contribution checks, or refused to accept donations, from certain interests, including those involving gambling, liquor and stem cell research.
LeVota said Democrats last year introduced a bill that would have required that lawmakers be out of the House or Senate for a full year before they could become lobbyists.
“It never even got a hearing,” he said.
Other issues
Lawmakers also discussed autism legislation, term limits, and federal health care reform and its potential impact on the state budget.
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