Blunt vetoes lobbyist disclosure bill

The governor got it right this time.
According to a news release from Governor Matt Blunt's office released about an hour ago, the governor vetoed HBs 524 and 525 that would have reduced disclosure and reporting requirements for lobbyists.
"Missouri citizens have a right to know who hires lobbyists and what legislation those lobbyists are working for or against," Blunt said. "These bills would have been a step backwards in disclosure and ethics laws designed to ensure government agencies and elected officials are accountable to the people they represent."
Without Blunt's vetoes, the news release said, the bills would have removed a provision in current law that requires lobbyists to provide the Missouri Ethics Commission with a summary of legislation they supported or opposed. "The new law would have eliminated this requirement as well as language mandating lobbyists also report who hired them for each of the listed legislative initiatives."
The news release continued, "Vetoing the bills ensures Missourians, including journalists and other news organizations, will continue to have access to important information surrounding lobbyists and their activities. It will ensure the Missouri Ethics Commission can continue to provide information to citizens that allows them to determine what legislative initiatives their elected officials are being asked to consider by lobbyists and the special interest groups, corporations or others they represent."