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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah lobbyists picked up the tab for hundreds of meals eaten by state lawmakers over the past three months -- meals that would be banned under a citizen initiative organizers are trying to get on the 2010 ballot.
Financial disclosure reports due Tuesday showed lobbyists spent at least $5,700 wooing state lawmakers. Most of the money was spent buying meals for legislators, but the expenditures also included college football tickets, social events and donations for political fundraisers.
Under the initiative being circulated by Utahns For Ethical Government, the only gifts lawmakers could accept from lobbyists would be light refreshments.
"Lobbyists do this for a reason," said Dixie Huefner, a Utahns for Ethical Government leader and former University of Utah professor. "They do it because it buys them access."
The group often hears that the public feels it doesn't have nearly as much access to the lawmakers as lobbyists, Huefner said.
Republican legislators have subtly been campaigning to keep the initiative from becoming law. They have long maintained that disclosure of lobbyist gifts and unlimited campaign contributions is better than a ban or limits.
However, under current regulations, few lawmakers are identified in lobbyist reports, and it's difficult for constituents to find out who is giving elected officials freebies.
Among the few lawmakers identified by name in the past three months is Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. He received more than $700 in gifts from lobbyists for a political fundraiser.
Rep. Jack Draxler, R-Logan, a Utah State fan, traditionally accepts Aggies football tickets. Utah State's disclosure report said he accepted a $30 ticket on Sept. 26 when Utah State played Southern Utah.
Meanwhile, the University of Utah reported giving Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, $100 worth of tickets that same weekend to watch Utah and Louisville play.
The Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office, which regulates lobbyist reports, said that report was being amended because the school said Romero was reimbursing the university for the tickets.
Initiative sponsors must gather 95,000 signatures from registered voters in 26 of the state's 29 Senate districts by April to make the ballot.
In addition to banning lobbyist gifts as part of a proposed code of conduct for lawmakers, the initiative would prohibit lawmakers from serving as lobbyists while in office and within two years of holding office.
Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, is a registered lobbyist for the business-backed Utah Taxpayers Association.
Last month, a Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, submitted his resignation to become the government relations director of the Utah Education Association in November.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
