Legislators Won’t Go Hungry

John Maginnis points out the loopholes in SB8, which imposes a $50 limit on meals lobbyists can buy legislators:

The Center for Public Integrity awards points for total disclosure of entertainment spending on officials, which Gov. Jindal did not propose, but gives no points for the spending cap he demands.

In addition:

The proposed law would even give an advantage to certain lobbyists and business groups that entertain legislators at houses and offices near the Capitol. There they can wine and dine their political guests in private, with costs controlled and beyond the prying eyes of ethics spies or — retch — the press. (Also bloggers! - Editor)

Maginnis also picks up on Forgotston’s point about the Governor’s Mansion:

Before and regularly during this special session, the governor has had 30 to 35 legislators at a time over to eat lunch and talk ethics legislation. Past governors have lunched with legislators, but lawmakers don’t remember it being as frequent or systematic as at Chez Jindal.

As long as the governor’s luncheon guests never comprise a majority of either chamber, the open meetings law is not being violated, though some lawmakers find it fudged in spirit. The same for the notion of separation of powers.

Maginnis’ overall tone is not complimentary. He finishes with some useful advice before making a final swipe:

let me suggest, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, that he disclose what he spends entertaining and influencing which members of this separate branch of government.

He’s not going to do that, of course

As Jindal seems AWOL on this issue, it’s up to members of the legislature to take the lead. Perhaps one or two of them might consider taking a leaf out of Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (NY-20) playbooks and publishing their schedules online so that the citizens of Louisiana can see which lobbyists they are meeting, for how long and why. Such a proactive step would go at least some way towards restoring public confidence and their personal integrity.