Some of the perks of being a Louisiana state legislator are under attack this week during the first extraordinary legislative session. Two proposed bills are aimed at limiting lobbyists' spending on gifts for legislators. The proposed bills will limit lobbyists' spending on meals for legislators to $50 and will ban them from giving away free tickets to cultural and sporting events. The proposed bills passed in the Senate this past Wednesday despite questions being raised as to which events would be included in the ticket ban. The bills are being debated in the House of Representatives this week. Senate President Joel Chaisson wrote both bills as part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed ethics reform plan. "I think these bills are a great idea," said Ricky Piper, accounting freshman. "These lobbyists are just buying votes. At this rate, it will be only corporate officials and politicians attending the big games." During a meeting of the House Committee on Governmental Affairs, Rep. Charmaine Marchand, D-New Orleans, proposed an amendment to raise the meal spending limit to $75. "At $50, you're going to be eating at Taco Bell," Marchand said during the meeting. Marchand's proposed amendment failed when 14 legislators voted against it and only five supported it. "What Taco Bell is she eating at?" Piper said. "That's ridiculous." Kyle Brasher, mass communication freshman, said he agrees with the legislation. "It will make legislators look to the issues, not just who is taking them out where," Brasher said. "If one lobbyist takes you out to Ruth's Chris and the other takes you to Golden Corral, then you might forget about the issues when it comes time to vote."
---- Contact Jack LeBlanc at jleblanc@lsureveille.com
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