Oklahoma lobbyist sees no need to ban lawmaker gifts

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
Published: November 30, 2008

State Rep. Jason Murphey isn’t waiting for a proposed rule to be approved or for legislators to act: The second-term legislator has posted a sign on his state Capitol door advising lobbyists not to give him or his executive assistant any gifts.


Rep. Jason Murphey

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Murphey, R-Guthrie, said he pledged to constituents when he first ran for his House seat in 2006 that he wouldn’t accept gifts from lobbyists.

"I’ve done my best to always turn them down,” Murphey said.

But lobbyists occasionally drop off gifts in his office when he’s not there and "we have to spend the time tracking them down or trying to find out if this is something of value or something that you can just trash,” Murphey said.

Lobbyist opposes rule
Pat Hall, who has lobbied legislators for nearly 30 years, said legislators who feel the same as Murphey can take similar steps instead of passing a rule or state law.

"I don’t have any problem with any legislator saying, ‘I don’t accept gifts; I don’t go to meals,’” said Hall, who also has served as head of a state employees association and as chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. "I don’t know why we need a law. We’re making a law for something that’s never been a problem.”

Making lists?
Murphey filed legislation for this year’s session that would have allowed legislators to sign up for a "no-gifts list” that would prevent lobbyists from giving legislators any item of value.

The measure failed to get a hearing on the House of Representatives floor.

A similar idea has been proposed as a rule to the state Ethics Commission by John Wood, a political science professor at Rose State College.

He’s also a member of Common Cause Oklahoma, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that supports accountability in government.

The rule proposes the Ethics Commission maintain a "no-gifts list.” Legislators not wanting to receive things of value from lobbyists would put their names on the list; an alternative is for the commission to keep a "gifts list.” Legislators wanting to receive from lobbyists gifts and things of value, such as meals and tickets to events, would put their names on the list.

Each list would be voluntary.

The Ethics Commission will discuss the proposal and about a dozen others when it meets Dec. 11 at the State Capitol.

Commission members will decide in January which proposals to submit to legislators. The Ethics Commission also is considering a rule that would prohibit lobbyists from giving anything of value to legislators, state officials and employees.

Leveling playing field
If the Ethics Commission doesn’t advance the "no-gifts list” proposal to legislators, Murphey said he likely would follow with similar legislation for next year’s session.

Murphey said his sign advising lobbyists not to give him gifts won’t inhibit his relationship with lobbyists by discouraging them from discussing issues with him.

"In fact, I think it helps. It means that the small guy’s on the (same) level playing field as the guy with the big expense account,” he said. "And it also means they’re on that same playing field as anyone else that wants my time. That’s what gift giving is all about. … It’s buying access.”


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Related Topics: U.S. State Government, U.S. Government, Political Policy, Politics, Political Lobbyists


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No, GS, I don't think I missed the point, which obviously was trying to say that only Democrats are honest and ethical. I disagree; neither the republican or democratic party is overstaffed in the ethics department. The point of this article, to me is is it proper to buy a politician's favor? Regardless their political party, I think not.
Phil, Yukon - Dec 3, 2008 at 9:24 am
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GS...you'll note that it's a democrat lobbyist who quotes that he'd rather leave the gift giving open, whilst the republican legislator is refusing the gifts. You can make sweeping generalization if you care to, but the truth is that mankind innately is selfish, and anyone who's been in the business for thirty years and relies on gifts to make his point, is not going to change now. Democrat OR republican.
Melissa, Norman - Dec 1, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Phil: you miss my point. They violate the law. They don't get prosecuted. There is limited local press on them. And the warped people of this state elect and re-elect them - even when they know these people have questionable backgrounds. Mostly because the news against republicans in this state is pathetic.
GS, Norman - Dec 1, 2008 at 8:57 pm
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Pat, you know I like and respect you. But, on this one I completely disagree with you. Perhaps all those records the Ethics Commission keeps on lobbyists would mean more if voters ever took a look at them. You and I know they don't. You and I also know that most gifts to a Rep or Senator are not from friendship, they're an attempt to guarantee access. If there are no gifts allowed, perhaps that access would be spread more equitably.
Jan, Oklahoma City - Dec 1, 2008 at 10:08 am
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GS, is it only Republicans that violate laws?
Phil, Yukon - Dec 1, 2008 at 8:19 am
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Dear warped people of Oklahoma, how is this for you. Republican Ted Stevens of Alaska was convicted for taking and not reporting $250,000 of work on his house from a lobbyist. Democrat Gene Stipe of McAlester Oklahoma was convicted of illegally funneling $250,000 of campaign contributions to a candidate who lost his election. Republican Frank Keating, former governor of Oklahoma, was caught taking $250,000 in cash from a person trying to peddle drugs to the state prison system and oh yeah he was taking cash while he was a federal justice department official. None of the cash was reported until a leak to Newsweek. Our former governor gave the cash back and everyone dropped the issue. Our congressman Republican JC Watts was caught on tape taking cash from a lobbyist while he was a corporation commissioner. He went from bankrupt to millionaire while in congress. Our newest corporation commissioner Republican Dana Murphy plead guilty to forging documents while she was a judge of all things for the corporation commissioner. And the warped people of Oklahoma shrilling for ethics reforms elected the Republican crooks while villifying the lone democrat. And lets not forget that the Republican Speaker of the House did not pay his property taxes and he was part of a long list of such Republican legislators. Oh yeah, Republican Randy Terril was caught violating ethics laws and wound up in court over his ethics issues. The reward, the warped people of Oklahoma elected Republicans in force this year. Now how is that for upholding ethics standards. While common cause chases windmills ethics violators skate free!
GS, Norman - Nov 30, 2008 at 8:00 pm
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Cale, I am a lot more comfortable in some places when I see the cops frequenting the places of business. I don't have to tell you where since you have lived in the City longer than I have.
Floyd, Oklahoma City - Nov 30, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I have a friend who is a legislator (rep., not that it matters) and every year he and his wife get tickets to the OU Texas game with two nights hotel, it's not a Red Roof Inn either and meals. He actually expects me to believe that this is just because the state of Oklahoma should have a "legislative presence" at the game. I laughed ma a$$ off when he first said that then he tried to tell me that "this in NO way would or was intended to influence any vote he has on.....um......the "oil business." What really pi$$es me off the most is that he thinks I'm stupid enough to buy that crap. A cop, on duty, cannot accept a free cup of coffee at Denny's (by law) and these guys dine at the Petroleum Club like I eat at McDonalds. I just ask that the same law be applied to legislators as police officers. That ought to be pretty simple. By-the-way, If I ran a Denny's I would WANT cops in there drinking coffee at 2:00 a.m. In my opinion, they would just be working their shift.
Cale, oklahoma city - Nov 30, 2008 at 2:51 pm
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Well said Melissa. A gift to a politician is a bribe to win influence, no more no less. That Pat Hall does not see this as a problem is so obvious and is proof that leglislation barring such, should be passed.
Sallie, Del City - Nov 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I agree completely. Having spent hours at the capital helping to spread the word about disabilities and autism related issues, I have been shocked and surprised at how legislators will actively choose to spend their time with lobbyists while the people they work for are left in the dust. We struggle to get time in there to share our concerns, and these lobbyists are paid to spend all of their time there. Isn't it disconcerting when a legislator will deny legislation and then later you discover he's received over $30,000 in gifts and donations over the course of just a few years? They get paid too well for the work they do as it is, and to receive those additional perks is nauseating.
Melissa, Norman - Nov 30, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I agree with Lindell. Lobby groups have no place in our government. Groups like the NRA, AARP, DAV and the like are evil and try to force their twisted will on the American people. Thank God we can trust our legislators to always have our best interest in mind!
Anonymous, The Internet - Nov 30, 2008 at 9:25 am
Since one of the reasons most politicians become politicians is the free goodies that having a public office brings, it is unlikely they will restrict themselves. In truth, lobbyists should be limited to informing legislators about their issues, nothing more; no gifts, meals or trips. Even if legislation is passed to restrict this type of payola, it will be gutted to the point of meaninglessness. The sad point of this is that Oklahoma, in fact the nation, has become a republic of the lobby, for the lobby and by the lobby. The People have been forgotten.
Phil, Yukon - Nov 30, 2008 at 8:22 am
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Better yet, a law banning lobbyists!
leonard, Norman - Nov 30, 2008 at 8:14 am