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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah House Republican leaders have unveiled four ethics reform bills that would put restrictions on lobbying and gift-taking and strengthen campaign fund rules.
One bill would prevent legislators or elected state executive officials from becoming a paid lobbyist for a year after leaving their post.
Another would restrict what gifts lawmakers can take. While some gifts, like tickets to sporting events over $10, would be banned, cheap meals wouldn't have to be reported, nor would the cost of events to which the whole Legislature is invited.
Other bills propose restrictions on the personal use of campaign funds after leaving office and requiring candidates for state office to report contributions online within five days.
But state Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland says the republicans left out a major issue. "But the core issue there was an independent commission to oversee the new rules." Holland says it's tough to have politicians policing themselves.
Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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