State Lawmakers Revamp Lobbying Laws

[brooklynite]

State capitols across America have been stricken by what some are calling "Jack Abramoff-itis" — a sudden, urgent desire to tighten the rules on lobbying.

The burgeoning scandal involving the Washington super-lobbyist has produced ethics legislation in many states, or at least given greater momentum to efforts that were under way before Abramoff agreed to cooperate in an investigation into influence-pedding on Capitol Hill.

Oklahoma lawmakers want pharmaceutical companies to report how much they spend on lobbying. Florida has a new law prohibiting lobbyists from giving gifts, including food and drinks, to lawmakers.

Pennsylvania — which does not have a lobbyist-disclosure law, and has not had one since it was overturned by the state's high court in 2002 — is considering new reporting requirements. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to ban lobbyist gift-giving before "the next Jack Abramoff arrives."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060228/ap_on_re_us/abramoff_effect