With five months left to account for, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, has already more than doubled the amount of lobbyists' gifts he received during all of 2006.
Documents posted today on the Missouri Ethics Commission website indicate Nodler added another $499.29 to his total in July, giving him $1,461.34 for 2007. In 2006, he received $713.19 worth of gifts.
The total for this year would be even more if the gifts given to Nodler's wife, Joncee, were included. In July, two of the lobbyists currying favor with the powerful senator also bought meals for Mrs. Nodler.
According to the Ethics Commission documents, David Klarich, lobbyist for AT&T, spent $164.74 for "meals, food, and beverage" at the American Legislative Exchange Council meeting July 28. Klarich spent the same amount on a meal for Mrs. Nodler.
Ann Williams, lobbyist for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, opted for the economy lunch, spending $21.27 on Nodler, and a like amount on Mrs. Nodler at the ALEC conference on July 26.
The largest gift, categorized as "other," came from Alan "Chip" Mason, lobbyist for Herschend Family Entertainment, Branson, and was in the amount of $296.64. As I have noted before, Nodler has become a favorite of Branson interests since he jumped on board and supported Sen. Jack Goodman's late school start bill, legislation much favored by Branson's tourism industry. The large payout of "other" was the only gift Mason reported giving to any legislator in July.
Nodler's other gift, a $16.64 meal came from former Rep. Gary Burton, R-Joplin, representing the Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association.
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