Bill filed to allow lobbyists' gifts again

[octoberlib]

veteran Republican state House lawmaker has filed a proposal to allow lobbyists to once again give unreported gifts to state lawmakers in North Carolina.

House Bill 640, filed by Iredell Republican Robert Brawley, would roll back many of the ethics reforms passed by state lawmakers in the wake of the Speaker Jim Black scandal of 2006.

The measure would repeal bans on gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers, and relax requirements that lobbyists disclose such gifts.

http://www.wral.com/bill-filed-to-allow-lobbyists-gifts-again/12323945/

[barbtries]

1. wow

it really IS ok if you're a republican. jeez i hate these people. a more soulless and greedy bunch i doubt could be found.

[octoberlib]

2. This might be their undoing.

If laws were put in place because of a previous scandal and they repeal those laws, they're asking for trouble. Especially this bunch.

[barbtries]

3. SOMETHING has to undo them!

i'm starting to lose hope. on her show last week rachel maddow suggested setting a google alert: NC republicans - it'd be filling up the inbox. they've just gone apeshit.

[gklagan]

4. Spoke w/ Brawley yesterday.

1) left 2 voice mails suggesting he seemed to be inviting bribes and sent an e-mails saying same, received call back the following week. 2) He denied that his bill allows undisclosed gifts and stated that if it does then there was a typo that needs correcting. We agreed I would re-read the bill and send notes on the sections of concern allowing undisclosed gifts when I found the problematic language, or if I misread I'd e-mail an apology. Reply with re-write suggestions and I'll include them in my notes (for all the good it may do). I will have this done by the end of the week so please make suggestions before thursday at midnight so I have time to edit on friday.