Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Stevenson tops area representatives in lobbyists' gifts for June


Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, topped Joplin-area representatives in the amount of lobbyists gifts' for June, according to documents just posted on the Missouri Ethics Commission website.
Stevenson received $358.70, with all of it coming from lobbyist Sara Schuett, executive director of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. The disclosure documents indicate Stevenson received all of the gifts on June 23, $298.70 for two nights' lodging and $60 for a meal. Ms. Schuett's report indicates she also bought a $60 meal for Stevenson's wife, Regina, on the same day.
Coming in second for the month was perennial favorite Steve Hunter, R-Joplin, who continued his march toward the $3,000 mark, with $62.63 in June. Hunter made a big deal a few weeks back about dropping his part-time job as a recruiter for Associated Industries of Missouri, but three of the four meals, two lunches and a dinner, he received from lobbyists in June, came from former Rep. Gary Marble, R-Neosho, president and lobbyist for AIM. The other meal was paid for by Jim Kistler, lobbyist for Associated Builders and Contractors...and coincidentally, a former lobbyist for Associated Industries. Hunter has received $2,834.76 in lobbyists' gifts during the first half of 2007.
Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and Ed Emery, R-Lamar, each received one meal during June, Richard's costing $10 and Emery's $21.16.
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, and Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, did not accept any gifts in June.
For the year, trailing Hunter are: Richard $911.72, Stevenson $897.17, Emery $673.06, Ms. Ruestman $556.32, and Wilson $399.13.

No comments: