News Tribune: MO GOP leaders vacationed on lobbyists' dime

[usregimechange]

Missouri GOP leaders vacationed on lobbyists' dime
By KELLY WIESE
Associated Press

Lobbyists helped cover lodging and meals for nine Republican House members who vacationed at a tourist spot in Arkansas during their week off.

The House Communications Office provided information on the lawmakers, who included several members of the House leadership, and eight lobbyists. Communications director Todd Abrajano said some lawmakers covered their own costs, but he could not say who, or detail exactly what the total cost was.

The group vacationed in Hot Springs, Ark., a tourist spot popular for horse racing, spas and golf, and stayed at the Arlington Hotel.

Key among the attendees was Speaker Rod Jetton, who said he and his wife had been there before and decided to travel there again during the Legislature's break, which was March 18 through Monday. He said he decided to open the trip up to other members of the Republican caucus, and they and their spouses made the weekend trip.

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2005/03/31/news_state/0033105007.txt

[usregimechange]

1. Check this out!

Roark said he didn't know who paid for his room, but added: "These types of things do not affect legislators in their decision making."

How many of you leave the gas station without paying and without knowing who paid for you. How could you be sure that anyone paid?

[zbdent]

2. Nothing to see here

move along, move along . . .

[cornermouse]

3. Lovely. Just lovely.

:sarcasm:

[scratchtasia]

4. The Blunt connection

Further in the article it says that Matt Blunt's brother Andy was among the contributing lobbyists.

Fantastic--I can only guess how these freeloaders will vote on Matt Blunt's sadistic budget cuts.

[panicbutton02]

5. Thanks

Thanks for this information. We put a link to that article up at our new anti-Blunt blog, The Panic Button, at http://thepanicbutton.blogspot.com. We intend to be a clearinghouse for anti-Blunt information. If anyone finds an article we need to link to, please comment at the blog or e-mail either [e-mail] or [e-mail].

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. WOW great site!!

and welcome to DU :hi:

[scratchtasia]

7. Welcome

Welcome, and thanks for the blog link. I was thinking of doing something like that myself (a blog or site to keep track of Blunt), but I wasn't sure I'd ever find the time. I'm glad to see someone doing it!

[RayOfHope]

8. Wonderful site!

Thank you!