Lack of gift ban for Pa.'s legislators continues to miff critics
HARRISBURG — Overseas trips, tickets to sporting events and free entry into black-tie galas. Airfare to conferences around the country and corporate donations to community events they sponsor.
These are but some of the gifts, lodging and hospitality that Pennsylvania lawmakers reported on their annual disclosure forms this month, even as protesters converged on the Capitol to demonstrate the legislature’s steadfast refusal to ban elected officials from accepting such largesse.
The forms, which list gifts received in 2016, show a handful of lawmakers traveled to places such as New Zealand and Hawaii, at times for conferences. Others accepted sporting tickets, which they then shared with people in their districts.
In Pennsylvania, which critics often flog as having the weakest gift regulations in the nation, it’s all legal. As long as elected officials do not promise official action in return, and report the gifts on annual statements of financial interest, they can, in theory, accept anything from a dinner to a trip.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2017/05/29/pennsylvania-laws-government-gift-ban/stories/201705290018