MEASURE BANNING LEGISLATIVE ACCEPTANCE OF LOBBYIST GIFTS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jim Whelan, Nelson T. Albano and John F. McKeon sponsored to prohibit legislators and legislative staff from accepting any item of any value from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents was released from the Assembly State Government Committee today by a vote of 5 to 0.ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS
NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE:
February 26, 2007

CONTACT:
Assemblyman Whelan
(609) 383-1388
Assemblyman Albano
(609) 465-0700
Assemblyman McKeon
(973) 275-1113
James Sverapa IV
(609) 292-7065

MEASURE BANNING LEGISLATIVE ACCEPTANCE OF LOBBYIST GIFTS ADVANCES

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jim Whelan, Nelson T. Albano and John F. McKeon sponsored to prohibit legislators and legislative staff from accepting any item of any value from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents was released from the Assembly State Government Committee today by a vote of 5 to 0.

"The extraordinary number of corruption investigations across this state require extraordinary safeguards to prevent abuses and exploitation," said Whelan (D-Atlantic). "A seamless, comprehensive gift ban is one way the Legislature can lead by example for public officials all across the state."

Under current law, legislators and legislative staff may accept gifts up to $250 in value from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents without reimbursement.

The measure (A-4012) would restrict legislators and staff from accepting things of value from lobbyists and governmental affairs agents, unless the lobbyist or governmental affairs agent was a member of the legislator's or staff's immediate family. The bill defines immediate family as a person's spouse, child, parent, or sibling residing in the same household.

Any legislator or staff member accepting something of value must reimburse the lobbyist or governmental affairs agent for the fair market value within 90 days.

"This stricter gift ban will ensure that lawmakers put the public's interests over the special interests," said Albano (D-Cumberland). "It's an approach that should receive widespread bipartisan support."

The bill would permit members of the Legislature and legislative staff to attend events open to the public and ceremonial or commemorative events; accept food and beverage that is moderate and not elaborate or excessive in value; and accept ceremonial gifts or awards of nominal value.

"While a free cup of coffee or a free sandwich probably never influenced anyone, free tickets to a ballgame or a free hotel stay just might," said McKeon (D-Essex). "By enacting a complete gift ban, we effectively remove even the perception that a lobbyist's gifts might unduly influence a legislator or legislation."

The measure - part of an eight-point plan to improve transparency in government first introduced by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) - now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

--30--