Klindt back to number one on gift parade

Missouri Senate Majority Whip David Klindt was excited about proposed election and lobbying reforms when he wrote his weekly report March 16.
"New reporting requirements will make the activities of lobbyists easier to follow," he wrote.
When it comes to Klindt, the trail hasn't been hard to follow. The Bethany Republican, who received more gifts from lobbyists than any other senator in 2005, is back on top of the list this year, thanks to $1,339.64 worth of meals, food, beverage, gifts, and entertainment received during May, according to documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website.
Klindt has now received $3,357.21 in 2006, passing Columbia senator Chuck Graham, who was atop the list after the first four months.
Ethics Commission documents show Klindt had three instances of receiving "meals, food, and beverage" from lobbyists who represent the Missouri Beer Wholesalers Association; with two of those directly attributed to that group. On May 10, he received $51.21 in meals from Mary Strate, representing the beer wholesalers, and another $51.21 in meals from Kathryn Ann Harness. Ms. Harness' meal is charged to her lobbying firm, Harness & Associates, though Ethics Commission records indicate that the Beer Wholesalers Association is one of her clients.
Klindt had plenty of entertainment to keep him busy after the legislative session had drawn to a close. Ethics Commission documents show he received $94.30 worth of entertainment from Richard Wiles, representing the Northwest Foundation on May 26, $57 from Doug Galloway of Sprint on May 24. Earlier in the month, Arthur Martinez, representing CenturyTel, provided the senator with $50 worth of entertainment.
The other major expenditures reported by lobbyists were $236.76 in meals, food, and beverage on May 3 from Mary Scruggs, lobbyist for Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, and $151.01 on May 2 from Mark Rhoads, attributed to his lobbying firm, Herzog & Rhoads. The firm's clients include AT&T and Blue Cross, Blue Shield.
Rounding out this month's top 10 gift recipients are:
2. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, received $938.37, including $822.21 for meals, food, and beverage May 12 from Harry Hill, lobbyist for Missouri Rural Water Association.
3. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia- Last month's leader received $741.65 in lobbyists' gifts, including $266.04 for two meals from Richard S. Brownlee II, lobbyist for State Farm Insurance.
4. Yvonne Wilson, D-Kansas City, $525.70
5. Mike Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, $472.88
6. Pat Dougherty, D-St. Louis, $470.92
7. Luann Ridgeway, R-Smithville, $456.44
8. Victor Callahan, D-Independence, $273.44
9. Charlie Shields, R-Kansas City, $260
10. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, $233.45
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Goodman received more lobbyists' gifts than any other southwest Missouri with $233.45. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, received E$10.14 in meals, while Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, and Norma Champion, R-Springfield, did not receive any gifts from lobbyists in May, according to the Ethics Commission documents.