Though five southwest Missouri representatives placed among the top 13 in gifts received from lobbyists, area senators did not have their hands out quite as much, according to documents filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
In the immediate area, of the three legislators who represent counties normally covered by The Turner Report, only one, Larry Gene Taylor, who represents McDonald County, placed in the top 10, and he came in 10th. In the broader southwest Missouri region, only one other senator, Dan Clemens of Marshfield, made the list, finishing fourth.
Despite the fact that only 11 of the state's 33 senators are Democrats, five of them made the top 10, led by Maida Coleman, St. Louis, who placed second. Four of the five Democrats ranked in the top seven.
The Top 10 and the amounts they received were:
1. David Klindt, R-Bethany, $2,870.22
2. Maida Coleman, D-St. Louis, $2,140.62
3. Pat Dougherty, D-St. Louis, $1,329.74
4. Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield, $1,153.09
5. John Cauthorn, R-Mexico, $1,065.13
6. Timothy Green, D-St. Louis, $1,014.14
7. Yvonne Wilson, D-Kansas City, $998.18
8. Chris Koster, R-Harrisonville, $971.67
9. Chuck Graham, D-Columbia $945.81
10. Larry Gene Taylor, R-Shell Knob $896.35
On the other end of the spectrum, one state senator, Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, accepted no gifts from lobbyists, according to Ethics Commission documents.
Among Southwest Missouri senators, placing behind Clemens and Taylor were: Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, 21st with $474.33, Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, 23rd with $298.12; Norma Champion, R-Springfield, 26th with $192.75; and Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield, 30th with $61.29.
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Now for a closer examination of Southwest Missouri's senators and the gifts they received from lobbyists.
Larry Gene Taylor, R-Shell Knob- Taylor's $896.35 total includes $289.28, broken into two increments of $144.64 on April 19 for "meal, food and beverage" from lobbyists Francis Flotron and Richard McIntosh, who represent the lobbyist firm of Flotron and McIntosh, a firm that represents, among others, the Missouri Hospital Association. Taylor also received $216.16 for "meal, food and beverage" from Flotron on Jan. 8, and $166.84 from Aquila lobbyist Steve Murray on Jan. 5.
Gary Nodler, R-Joplin- Nearly half of Nodler's $474.33 came in a two-day spree provided by Alan "Chip" Mason, Silver Dollar City lobbyist, who provided a gift worth $130.95 on March 23, and another one worth $90.30 the next day, for a total of $221.25. The May 2005 lobbyist forms have not been turned into the Missouri Ethics Commission yet (they have to be checked for errors by the legislators first), but Nodler received $100 for entertainment and $50 for meals, food and beverage May 7 from L. Kent Gaines, who has a host of clients, including SBC and Monsanto.
Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City- The most Scott received among his $298.12 from lobbyists, was $70 from Fred Dreiling, who according to the filing was representing his own firm. Scott also received $50.33 in meals, food and beverage from George Burruss, Missouri Motor Carriers Association.
Norma Champion, R-Springfield- I still remember Aunt Norma fondly from her days as host of KYTV's Children's Hour in the 1960s (she must have been six years old when she was host for that program). Of Ms. Champion's $192.75, the most, $50 for meals, food and beverage came March 1 from Stephen Knorr, University of Missouri.
Dan Clemens, R-Marshfield- Topping the list with $210.17 for meal, food and beverage on March 15 was David Hale, Missouri Hospital Assocication. Clemens reported receiving 32 gifts from lobbyists totaling $1,153.09 during the 2005 session.
Chuck Purgason, R-Caulfield- Purgason accepted only three gifts from lobbyists, totaling $61.29, according to the Ethics Commission documents. Former State Representative Gary Marble, R-Neosho, provided $48.75 of that for meals, food and beverage April 20, representing Associated Industries of Missouri.
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