Monday, October 01, 2007

Ameristar Casino pays for cruise for Jetton, Cooper, Democratic representatives

Give Missouri lobbyists credit. Their reach extends far beyond this state's borders.
On Aug. 6-8, their reach extended all the way to Boston, where Missouri legislators were among those attending the annual convention of the National Association of State Legislators (NASL).
Missouri Ethics Commission documents posted this morning indicate Ameristar Casinos lobbyist Sarah Topp paid for cruises for Speaker of the House Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, and representatives Jason Holsman, D-Kansas City, Beth Low, D-Kansas City, Tony George, D-St. Louis, and Shannon Cooper, R-Clinton, as well as for Kay Fitzpatrick of Jetton's staff, Holsman's wife Robyn, and 13 House and Senate staff members.

The cruise, which cost $15 apiece for the legislators, was just a small portion of the $214.75 in lobbyists' gifts Jetton garnered during the three-day convention, including another $64.79 dinner on Aug. 6 paid for by Ms. Topp, who according to the Ethics Commission documents, split the bill between Ameristar Casinos, Missouri Railroad Association, Missouri Beverage Association, and Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri.

The Ethics Commission documents show Jetton receiving $433.62 in lobbyists' gifts during August and $1,278.85 during 2007.

(More information coming)

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