Missouri bill defines sex between lobbyists, lawmakers as a gift

[brooklynite]

Source: Kansas City Star

JEFFERSON CITY
Lobbyists who have sex with a Missouri lawmaker or their staff would have to disclose it to the Missouri Ethics Commission, under a bill introduced Wednesday in the Missouri House.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Bart Korman from Montgomery County, defines sex between lobbyists and legislators as a gift. As such, sexual relations would have to be included on monthly lobbyist gift disclosure forms.

From the bill:

For purposes of subdivision (2) of this subsection, the term "gift" shall include sexual relations between a registered lobbyist and a member of the general assembly or his or her staff. Relations between married persons or between persons who entered into a relationship prior to the registration of the lobbyist, the election of the member to the general assembly, or the employment of the staff person shall not be reportable under this subdivision. The reporting of sexual relations for purposes of this subdivision shall not require a dollar valuation.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article53468660.html

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I thought Republicans were in favor of getting rid of burdensome regulations.

[Xipe Totec]

1. This is for their own protection - A gift is not a bribe.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

2. sometimes crazy is not a bad solution

weird for sure

[Journeyman]

3. And to think, my company gave tins of popcorn at Xmas . . .

[cloudbase]

4. How do they assess the value for reporting purposes? n/t

[rurallib]

10. Wondering the same thing. Maybe the legislator determines the value

When they do, it may cause some real eye openers for the lobbyists.

[the_sly_pig]

12. Depends on the legislation enacted.

A lapel-flag pin law maybe a one night stand. Weapons contracts might require a month long trip to the Northern Marianas....

[KansDem]

13. Well, minimum wage in Missouri is $7.65 and hour, if that helps.

Minimum Wage History
Time Period $ Amount
2012 ............... $7.25
2013 ............... $7.35
2014 ............... $7.50
2015 ............... $7.65
2016 ............... $7.65

http://labor.mo.gov/DLS/MinimumWage

[7962]

14. It says "shall not require a dollar valuation"

[brooklynite]

5. I'm reminded of the quote from Jesse Unruh (California State Assembly):

""If you can't eat their food, drink their booze, s---- their women, take their money and then vote against them you've got no business being up here."

[iandhr]

7. Arnie Vinick, Alan Alda's character on the West Wing said the same thing.

[Solly Mack]

6. "The reporting of sexual relations... shall not require a dollar valuation."

No comment.

[niyad]

8. hmm, makes one wonder what he is covering up.

[MosheFeingold]

9. Having been in Washinton a long time

I can assure you that, in addition to some really smart and helpful people, a lot of lobbyist are former beauty queens (who are also generally pretty smart and poised, believe it or not) and a veritable brothel of clueless young attractive people, generally female but also some rather studly males who are paid to flirt -- and often open to more.

Access was granted accordingly.

It was out of hand in the 1970s. I'm no prude, but I almost quit a couple of times because of the degree of debauchery. It was just gross after a while.

I believe the drug companies used the same version of salespeople to get access to visit doctors. It got so bad there are now laws (or at least ethical guidelines) against sexual relations between doctors and pharma reps.

I don't doubt statehouses have similar issues.

[bluestateguy]

11. What if the sex was bad?

What if one of the participants just couldn't perform well, or there was bad chemistry between the two?

[7962]

15. Then its a "NO" vote for you!!

[TygrBright]

16. My god. You can't make this shit up... ::slow headshake:: n/t

[Nac Mac Feegle]

17. So all the "D.C. Madam" had to do

was register as a lobbyist?

Could have saved everyone a LOT of trouble.

But it would have deprived us of a lot of entertainment.

Although the 'image' of David Vitter in a diaper DID require the creation of many recipes for cocktails called Brain Bleach.

[benld74]

18. Yeah, that's right! We be crazy here in MO!!!

[babylonsister]

19. Who cares how blatant they get? They get away with it. nt

[Odin2005]

20. Sadly, this is not The Onion.

[Yavin4]

21. The "Show Me State"? More like "The____ Me State"!

You can fill in the blank.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

25. The "Gift Me" State!

[keithbvadu2]

22. NC sex between lobbyists, officials isn't reportable

NC Ethics Commission says sex between lobbyists, officials isn't reportable

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article10866068.html

“Consensual sexual relationships do not have monetary value and therefore are not reportable as gifts or ‘reportable expenditures made for lobbying’ for purposes of the lobbying law’s expenditure reporting provisions,” the formal advisory opinion says.

[marble falls]

23. How do they put a value on it?

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

24. Not a gift - you don't give it away for free.

[jberryhill]

26. Would you rather it continue unreported?

It seems the point is to get sex between lobbyists and lawmakers onto the record.