Missouri Republicans Roll

And this is how they do it. From the St. Louis Post Dispatch

ST. LOUIS • It must have been difficult for Missouri Republicans attending the annual American Legislative Exchange Council meeting in New Orleans this summer.

So much free booze and grub — just three days in the Big Easy.

Reports released at the beginning of October by the state Ethics Commission show that several local corporate lobbyists footed the bill for food and drink in the French Quarter, where conservative lawmakers from Missouri and across the country attended the Exchange Council's conference August 3-6.

The Council, known as ALEC, espouses "Jeffersonian principles of free markets," though it's been criticized for offering "model" legislation friendly to corporate interests.

Ethics Commission reports don't cover that, but they do show that corporate benefactors made sure Missouri lawmakers attending the conference were well fed and, um, hydrated.

On the second day of the conference, State Farm Insurance paid for a "walking wine tour" of New Orleans for Republican state House members.

The same night, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry paid for a "cocktail tour," which may or may not be the same event as the wine excursion.

In addition to other refreshments purchased at the ALEC conference, visiting Missouri lawmakers were treated to:

a reception at Antoine's Restaurant ("an unmatched dining experience"),
dinner at The Court of Two Sisters (where the menu includes "Escargot Au Champignons")
seafood at GW Fins (try the Cheddar Cheese Straw Crusted Apple Pie, as featured in Affluent Magazine), where the $1,400 bill was picked up by AT&T.
Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed.

Although Missouri lawmakers did not need to travel to the Bayou for lobbyist giveaways — there was plenty available back home.

State Sens. Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield) and Robin Wright-Jones (D-St. Louis) shared a suite at the Rams Aug. 21 preseason game, courtesy of Laclede Gas. Democratic State Reps. Tishaura Jones and Clem Smith also received tickets, according to the monthly Ethics report.

Republican State Sen. Chuck Purgason, the bolo-tie wearing tax-credit foe from southern Missouri, accepted $352 in baseball tickets on Aug. 5 from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association.

Later in the month, State Rep. Scott Dieckhaus accepted four Cardinals tickets from something called "Citizens for Policy Reform, LLC". (A group seeking to change the state's laws allowing gifts for lawmakers? Unlikely)

The National Rifle Association treated a number of lawmakers and relatives to a meal to discuss the successful push to lower the required age to possess a concealed carry permit.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Ron Richard, a Republican from Joplin, received a fitting gift from the University of Missouri: A "One Mizzou" t-shirt, part of the school's tornado relief effort.







Jake Wagman covers politics for the Post-Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @JakeWagman



Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...067-11e0-927b-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1aOmUZBSg

 

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