Ethics Reform Versus Gastronomic Reform

We know judges are whining about having to disclose their incomes, and we know their reasoning is inspired by Louisiana’s constitution, rather than any major skeletons in their closet. Louisiana judges, after all, are the ethical standards by which Louisiana’s other branches of government should be measured - as they’ve proven again, and again, and again.

The newest ethics-reform detractors border on the ridiculous: the Louisiana Restaurant Association is trying to raise the $50 ceiling to $100. As the Times-Pic says:

Obviously at the urging of some Baton Rouge members, the group wants the proposed limit to wine and dine legislators set at $100 per feast. That’s double the $50 limit Gov. Jindal proposed.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House general manager Scott Callais even lamented that the $50 limit may prevent lobbyists from buying legislators a $35 steak. “The legislators still need to eat,” he pleaded…

Callais is right. At $50, lobbyists won’t be able to afford any cheese to go with their whine.