Bill targets campaign gifts during state legislative sessions

Monday, January 17th 2005, 6:36 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A Tulsa lawmaker is filing a bill that would prohibit House and Senate members from accepting campaign donations during the four-month session, as well as 30 days before and after.

State Rep. Lucky Lamons, D-Tulsa, said the measure is based on a law passed in Texas in 1991.

``The policy, and the political process, has been accused of being 'pay to play,''' Lamons said.

He believes his bill could change that perception.

``There will be no mistake for the citizens and the taxpayers of Oklahoma that any representative is taking any money for votes,'' he said. ``That way it doesn't cheapen the process.''

Other lawmakers are sponsoring banning the acceptance of contributions at the State Capitol.

``I think that is a good start, but it doesn't go far enough,'' Lamons said.

Lamons' proposal would implement a moratorium on all House and Senate members receiving monetary contributions to their campaigns or any of their political action committees for a six month session, from 30 days before session to 30 days after.

``I just don't want the 'pay-to-play' attitude that some legislators appear to have, when anytime you'll hear that there's a major bill and all of a sudden lobbyists and special interests are walking the halls handing out checks,'' Lamons said. ``I want the process to be clean.''

Lamons said his bill would still allow members to go to informational dinner meetings.