State law prohibits registered lobbyists from contributing to a lawmaker’s campaign fund while the legislative session is active, but individuals and political action committees remain free to do so. A 2017 Oklahoma Watch investigation found that lawmakers often received birthday presents, including golf outings and Oklahoma City Thunder tickets, more than a month removed from their actual birth date. A rule change implemented in January 2018 prohibits lobbyists from giving legislators or their family presents for annual events such as birthdays, and limits gift-giving to major life events like marriage or retirement. Six years ago, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has sought new restrictions on when lobbyists may bestow a gift on legislators. While lobbyists may not spend more than $500 on gifts and food for an elected official over a calendar, elected officials aren’t capped on how much they can receive. Lobbyists have spent more than $183,000 on gifts, meals and beverages for state legislators, the highest total since 2019. “They put these events together so you can put multiple together to talk about issues.” No legislator is going to be an expert on everything,” said Long, an attorney who previously worked as general counsel for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. “A big piece of government affairs is really educational. As concerns over the virus wane, lobbyists are again using come-and-go events to converse with lawmakers. Geoff Long, executive director of the Oklahoma Society of Professional Advocates, said scarce venue availability and rising inflation coupled to make hosting large-scale events during the pandemic more difficult. Under current reporting guidelines, lobbyists aren’t required to disclose individual recipients if every legislator is invited to an event. The Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association spent nearly $3,900 to serve lawmakers and their staff ribeye steak sandwiches and chips for lunch on May 16. In late April, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association spent $21,000 to host a dinner reception for legislators at the Embassy Suites hotel. Expenditure reports filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission show that sort of spending has rebounded. With COVID-19 concerns heightened, advocacy groups scaled back large in-person gatherings during the 2021 legislative session. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.Īs a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.Oklahoma lobbyists have spent nearly $380,000 this year on gifts, meals and beverages for state legislators and other elected officials through May, a 42% increase over the same period two years ago. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.īBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.īBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment.
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