On lobbyists ‘buying’ lawmakers. This measure could make it much less alluring to run for office in Oklahoma. And, by the way, they should have enacted it long ago…

From The Tulsa Beacon

State Rep. Jason Murphey renewed his call to create a “No Gifts List” that prevents lobbyists from giving legislators any item of value.
A recent disclosure by paid lobbyists indicates they invested over $70,000 in gifts to Oklahoma legislators during the first six months of 2008.

House Bill 2444, filed last year by Murphey, would require the state Ethics Commission to create and maintain a voluntary “No Gifts List.” Under the bill, lobbyists would be prevented from giving items to any lawmakers on the list.

“I want to spend my time in the Legislature working for the people, not accepting lobbyists’ gifts and certainly not going through the hassle of returning unwanted gifts,” said Murphey, R-Guthrie.

From TMRO:

Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland warned the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee that an amendment proposed by Republican Rep. Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, and apparently supported by the House GOP leadership, opens “the door for companies that are marginal to come into Oklahoma.”

The amendment, supported by the Gene Phillips family insurance companies lobbyist Bobby Stem, sets a 20 percent cap on how much money insurance companies can invest in real estate construction loans. Holland wants the limit set at 2 percent. She said real estate construction loans are “speculative and risky,” and that only three insurance companies, all tied to the Phillips family, want the change. Read more…