Monday, August 06, 2018

Documents indicate lobbyist treated Richard, wife to Faith Hill/Tim McGraw tickets, utility lobbyist buys Cardinals ticket, meal for Emery

Term-limited Sen. Ron Richard's last regular session ended in May, but disclosure reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission indicate he is continuing to accept lobbyist gifts.

The most recent reports posted, covering the month of June, show Richard received four gifts worth $237.17. His total for the year is $649.07.

The largest gift, $135, came from Missouri State University lobbyist Ryan DeBoef on June 29 for a ticket and parking for a concert at the university. DeBoef also bought a $125 ticket for Richard's wife, Patti, according to the report.

Though the report doesn't specify what concert the tickets were for, the Soul2Soul Concert headlined by country superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill was held that day at the John Q Hammons Arena.

The report also show Richard received two gifts from Missouri Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Matthew Panik, including $71.64 meals for himself and his wife at the Hawthorn Foundation dinner.

The only other area legislators who accepted any lobbyist gifts in June were Sen. Ed Emery, R-Lamar and Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar.

Emery, who sponsored the successful SB 564 that allows utility companies to recoup their costs for modernizing their equipment through rate adjustments, received St. Louis Cardinals tickets worth $51.25 and meals the same day amounting to $87.02 from utility giant Ameren's lobbyist Matthew A. Forck.

The term-limited Kelley received $243.50 worth of non-alcoholic beverages from Missouri Beverage Association lobbyist William A. Gamble, according to the report.

Representatives Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, Bill Lant, R-Noel, Bill Reiboldt, R-Seneca, Cody Smith, R-Carthage, and Bill White, R-Joplin, did not accept any lobbyists' gifts during June.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Making 'Murrica Grate Agin!

Anonymous said...

Hey, if Trump can receive gifts from Saudia's, Russia, and other foreign countries through his hotels what harm if these guys just get the scraps. We have seen the worse decline in voter intelligence since our meager beginning. The republicans have been nothing but King Hog at the trough and no one or government agency can stop them except maybe Nicole. Vote this Tuesday and vote for a conscience in government this November. Stop being a lemming and think of what you are leaving your children and the example of stupidity.

Anonymous said...

Who cares if someone gave him concert tickets. Sounds like people are jealous. No one cares about this kind of stuff.
Why don't we concentrate on fixing real problems instead of whining?

Anonymous said...

Why do we even allow lobbyists to exist? It is called "bribery" in any other country and should be illegal here. As long as these lobbyists exist, the extremely rich and big corporations will continue to own these crooked politicians. Politicians are being grossly over paid for the piss poor job they are doing anyway, so why should they receive any additional "benefits" or gifts? Blunt has grown quite a bank account with his entire family being lobbyists.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'm jealous.

I'm not a politician, hold no public office, and have never had a fatcat lobbyist give me "free" concert tickets.

Matter of fact I never even had a fatcat lobbyist offer to give me a "free" dinner, or even a few "free" drinks for that matter.

I hear tell the living is fast and easy in Jeff City, what with loose morals and so on.

Some anonymous apologist then has the nuts to try tell us this is all normal.

Harvey Hutchinson said...

Lobbyists— first Article of US Constitution

People are entitled to access to their government.
Many lobbyists are non profits such as Red Cross and local municipalities, and Veterans Affairs—not all are fat cats. I reccomend you know it all anonymous cowards read the US and Missouri Constitution ( assuming you know how to read)

Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text

Anonymous said...

We read your lies all the time Harvey. At least we can spell. And if you are as gullible as you have proven, then you believe lobbyists are giving the common man access to their government. Actual facts are that lobbyists use the money to bribe these corrupt puppets to do their big business bidding. But the gullible (insert Harvey here) don't actually understand that. (Assuming you know how to think without Faux News or Hannity telling you what you will think.) I noticed you didn't post anything about the emoluments clause in your little know it all post. Look that up and get back to us on that one.

Harvey Hutchinson said...

President Trump doesn’t own those properties any more; his sons do.
He donates his entire salary back to the US Psrks service. How much did Obama donate back to the people?
Amount and example? Please.
Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text

Harvey Hutchinson said...

Oh, I did forget Obama gave billions to his Muslim brothers in Iran and other Muslim states

Just that it was taxpayers money, not his

Harvey Hutchinson 303-522-6622 voice&text

Anonymous said...

Give us some links to your alternative facts Harvey. You are good at asking for facts, but you never do give links to your lies.