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November 12, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Thu Nov 12, 2009, 05:03 PM EST

THE ISSUE: Statehouse lobbying reform

OUR VIEW: Lawmakers must strengthen Indiana’s lax lobbying standards.

Back in 2006, state Rep. P. Eric Turner proposed that Indiana counties change the tax bills they send property owners twice each year.

The Marion Republican wanted taxpayers to have more information on how their money is spent. He sought to make government spending more transparent. And since 2008, property tax statements have included each county taxing unit’s rate from the previous year, the current year and the percent of increase or decrease.

“Property-tax payers deserve to know how their property taxes are being spent,” said Turner, who represents such communities as Greentown, Sharpsville, Converse and Swayzee. “Additional information on the property tax bill will allow individual taxpayers to know specifically what local taxing units have had increased spending and what percentage increase is involved.”

If only interactions between lobbyists and members of the Indiana General Assembly were as transparent.

Lobbyists spent more than $24 million last year trying to influence legislators like Turner. Part of that money was spent on gifts to lawmakers, including golf trips, tickets to major sporting events, gift cards and dinners at swanky restaurants. The Indiana Energy Association, for example, paid $717 for premium seats at an Indiana Pacers game for Turner and his daughter.

It’s all perfectly legal. But the public’s interests can be pushed aside as lobbyists gain favored access and influence.

Sunday, we will begin the first of a three-day series on how Indiana’s lax standards on lobbying hurt Hoosiers. Follow-ups on lobbying reform will continue through the 2010 session of the state Legislature.

We join 22 other Indiana newspapers, serving more than 1.5 million readers, to advocate these reforms:

• Legislators may not accept any gift worth more than $50 in value from registered lobbyists.

• Lobbyists must disclose the value of all goods and services offered to individual legislators or groups of lawmakers, including meals, tickets to sporting and entertainment events, or other gifts.

• Legislators may not accept gifts, including payment of travel-related expenses, from businesses, organizations or individuals that do business with the state.

• Legislators may not accept meals, tickets to athletic games or other events, or any other gift valued at more than $50 from state universities or colleges.

• Former legislators may not work as registered lobbyists until one year after they leave office.

Our lawmakers hold the legal authority to regulate their own behavior.

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