A hotly debated meal honoring Sen. Norma Champion added $435.66 to her lobbyist tab for 2006, according to a disclosure report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Ms. Champion, R-Springfield, received that much in "meals,food and beverage" on the final day of August from AARP lobbyist Amy Coffman, according to the document.
The reception held in Ms. Champion's honor was strongly opposed by Nelson Parnell, president of Senior Democrats of the Ozarks, who posted a letter on the Greene County Missouri Democrats' website, containing the follow sentiment:
"In the first place AARP should not be conducting such a blatantly partisan activity, especially in an election year. If some wished to do so, they could have simply sent her a thank you note. Secondly, Champion may have done some good things for Seniors, but she has also supported a measure which has done far more harm to seniors and other low-income people by supporting the Medicaid cuts in recent times."
5 comments:
Champion has also opposed legislative bills in past years introduced by then Rep Craig Hosmer that would have protected Seniors in nursing homes. According to the St Louis Post and state political watch groups, during that period of time the Missouri Health Care Association, a very powerful nursing home provider lobby, made inordinately high contributions to Champion. Then when Hosmer ran against Champion for the state senate he was defeated in part by the same lobby's enormous contributions to Champion's campaign. Folks who care about the elderly in nursing homes need to remember this (research it for themselves) when Champion runs for re-election.
This was obviously food provided in Senator Champion's office for guests. The attempt by Mr. Turner to make it appear that this much food was consumed by the petite Senator Champion shows what a nut this Turner is. Actually I believe he knows better and just tries to misslead people.
Obviously, the last commenter is either unfamiliar with this blog or is simply trying to shift the focus from Ms. Champion's conduct to mine. It doesn't matter who actually ate the meal. Ms. Champion allowed a special interest to pay for $435 worth of food for an event that was designed to reward Ms. Champion for votes she cast or actions she took as an elected state senator. My view on this matter has always been consistent. Legislators should pay their own way, just as their constituents do.
Let's see, Randy. A few days ago I attended a dinner. Senator Champion was in attendance and presented a Senate Resolution. There were probably 200 people at the dinner and the senator got the spotlight while presenting the resolution. This, as all members of the Missouri Legislature will tell you, is a great way to politic.
Now let's calulate this according to the Randy-way-to-skew-a-Republican. The dinner ticket was $50 a head, so because the senator got in a campaign tactic, she should report a $10,000 meal ticket in her accounting.
I went through the dinner line with the Senator and we had a nice chat. She and her husband were at the table next to mine and she was having a good time and was so gracious as she chatted with folks at her table - none of whom she knew when she took her seat.
Randy, now I want you to be sure and check her reporting so you can point a bony finger at Senator Champion is a $10,000 meal contribution fails to show up on her campaign report!
Randy, you amaze me! Not only that, y
Anon 751: You saw Norma Champion and her husband at dinner? Where, in the Twilight Zone? He's been dead for years. You obviously don't read this blog very much or you would see that Turner blasts Democrats, too. Is that you, Mike Barnett?
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