Letter: Lawmakers’ reaction disappointing

• Published: Feb 29, 2008 - Page: 8B

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Twitter
• Social Media

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

How disappointing, if not disgusting, was the response from legislators to a proposal put forth by Rep. Walker Hines, D-New Orleans, concerning the amount of money lobbyists can pay for meals for lawmakers.

According to Capitol news bureau reporter Michelle Millhollon in an Advocate article which ran on Feb. 22, Rep. Hines wanted “to put an end to lobbyists picking up the tab for lawmakers’ meals and drinks.”

Ms. Millhollon wrote that, “Most members of the House spurned — and scorned — him. …”

I suppose the long-serving members view Rep. Hines, a 24-year-old freshman legislator, as being wet behind the ears and too green to understand the absurdity of such a move.

For readers such as myself, however, many of us might be asking, “Why the protest?”

In light of ethics reform, I think it would be a grand idea for lawmakers to stop accepting free meals from lobbyists trying to woo opinions in their favor.

Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport, stated that important information can be exchanged between lawmakers and lobbyists during lunch or over coffee.

Can’t the same information be exchanged if it’s Dutch treat?

I applaud Rep. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, for defending Rep. Hines’ right to offer the amendment.

The legislators don’t like being perceived as having a “business-as-usual” mentality. However, the kind of arrogant remarks thrown at Rep. Hines, such as the one from Rep. Ernest Wooten asking if Hines might have trouble with the free-lunch program at school, suggest that the “this is the way we do things around here, son” concept still rules.

Considering that only 17 legislators voted for Rep. Hines’ proposal, while 86 voted against it, crowd mentality isn’t isolated to the young. Kudos to Rep Hines for challenging the norm.

Lastly, I suggest the lawmakers ask any of the volunteers who serve meals at the St. Vincent DePaul dining hall if $50 isn’t enough to cover a decent meal for one person.

Better yet, ask the people who dine there.