The Missouri Senate on Tuesday backed a proposal to stop the practice of lobbyists paying for catered events for groups of lawmakers and passed a bill blocking some elected officials from serving as paid political consultants.
The Senate's actions are part of a larger debate on revamping the state's loose ethics laws following recent resignations of legislators accused of inappropriate behavior. The former House speaker resigned at the end of the legislative session last year after admitting to exchanging sexually charged text messages with a Capitol intern, and a state senator left office months later amid allegations that he sexually harassed interns.
Just last week, former state Rep. Don Gosen stepped down and said he had an affair.
Lawmakers working as political consultants for colleagues and catered events paid for by lobbyists have fallen under criticism as legislators debate how to change Capitol culture and restore public trust in government.
The bill banning all legislators and statewide elected officials from also being paid political consultants passed 31-0, with one senator absent.
The measure now heads back to the House for review.
The change to end lobbyist-catered group events was tacked on another bill to cut back on lobbyist spending through a 19-8 standing vote, which means state records won't disclose how individual senators voted.
Republican Sen. Rob Schaaf, who proposed the amendment, said catered events and other spending can lead to a pay-to-play system that allows lobbyists to buy access to legislators.
"It's not that lawmakers will feel obligated to reciprocate by changing their votes or taking other legislative actions," Schaaf said. "But there's a good chance that they will feel obligated to give the lobbyists a little more of their time or give their requests a little more consideration."
Senators also restored a $50 cap on plaques or other honorary recognitions that was stripped from the bill in a Senate panel.
However, division over the bill stalled a final vote on the measure Tuesday.
Democratic Sens. Jamilah Nasheed, of St. Louis, and Kiki Curls, of Kansas City, raised concerns the legislation would prevent lobbyists from paying for gifts that lawmakers in turn give to residents they represent or to charitable organizations.
Sen. Dave Schatz, a Sullivan Republican, questioned the bill's consequences and said the legislation might lead to legal repercussions if lawmakers unknowingly take a slice of pizza or a piece of gum, for example, that was paid for by a lobbyist.