Utah lawmakers end personal use of campaign cash

Utah lawmakers end personal use of campaign cash


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah lawmakers voted Friday to eliminate the personal use of campaign cash and prohibit lobbyists from giving them gifts worth more than $10.

The House gave final approval to the measures weeks after House Speaker David Clark, R-Santa Clara, had hoped to pass them.

A bill requiring greater disclosure on legislators' conflict of interest forms also was approved. It would also require for the first time that candidates for statewide offices file the forms.

The bills are intended to restore the public's trust in lawmakers after recent accusations of bribery against state lawmakers. Republican leaders also hope their efforts will stop a pair of citizens ethics initiatives from ever reaching the ballot.

"I do think the campaign fund expenditure restrictions are a step in the right direction," said Utahns for Ethical Government spokeswoman Dixie Huefner. "It's just that it doesn't really take care of where the truly big issues are -- which is with the cozy relationship between big money and legislative decision making."

Utah is one of a handful of states that doesn't limit how much money a legislator can rake in through campaign contributions, who can contribute or how that money can be spent.

Under current law, lawmakers can spend their campaign donations on a new home, boat or vacation.

That would all be banned under House Bill 124, sponsored by Rep. Tim Cosgrove, D-Murray. The bill would also keep lawmakers from using campaign cash to join a country club, pay medical bills or attend Utah Jazz basketball games.

Lawmakers also couldn't expect lobbyists to pick up the tab for those expenses under House Bill 267, although legislators would still be allowed to eat on a lobbyist's dime.

Lobbyists have a long history of wooing lawmakers at NBA games with courtside and box seats, although that was largely eliminated in the past year because of a change in state law.

Most lobbyist expenditures are spent on meals, according to disclosure forms filed with Lt. Gov. Greg Bell's office.

Some travel and lodging paid for by lobbyists would also still be allowed, though legislators who accepted the free air fare and hotels would be identified by name.

The ethics package now advances to Gov. Gary Herbert.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Brock Vergakis Writer

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