Thursday, March 06, 2008

Goodman tops area senators in lobbyists' gifts

Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, topped southwest Missouri senators with $254.62 in lobbyists' gifts received in January, according to statistics posted March 1 on the Missouri Ethics Commission website.

Goodman's total included $129 from Catherine Barrie of the Missouri Bar Association for "continuing legal education," and a meal worth $78.62 from J. Scott Marrs, representing the Missouri Hospital Association.

Other area senators and their top lobbyists' contributions were:

Norma Champion, R-Springfield, $45 including $30 from Jerry Burch, Missouri State University, for the governor's prayer breakfast

Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield, $23.52, including $14.77 for snacks and beverages for office from Chris Moody, lobbyist for Family Health Partners

Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, $98.59, including $58.42 for candy from Larry Cole of Cornerstone Health and a $30 dinner at the Jefferson City Country Club from James Moody, Integrity Home Care. Moody not only bought the $30 meal for Nodler, but also paid for $30 meals for Nodler's wife, Joncee, and three members of the senator's staff, Barb Mustoe, Jake Heisten, and Jeannie Walton, according to the Ethics Commission documents.

Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, $69.51, including $42.55 for meals, food, and beverage from Harry Gallagher, listed as lobbying for his own lobbying firm, Gallagher Consultants.

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