Pennsylvania is one of only three states that allow unlimited gifts to our legislators (Mississippi and Delaware are the others) and I think the statutory definition of lobbying sounds like a definition of bribery:

Section 13A of Title 65 defines lobbying as, “providing any gift, hospitality, transportation or lodging to a State official or employee for the purpose of advancing the interest of the lobbyist or principal.”

Banning bribery is universally popular among voters. There is no good reason for our well-compensated legislators to get gifts like all-expenses-paid European vacations, box seats at Penn State games, or lavish wining and dining. These sorts of transactions should be banned. And make no mistake, this is a bipartisan stain.

There are currently several bills circulating in Harrisburg banning this practice and there are legislators making hundreds of excuses not to enact them. Currently, only one Butler County lawmaker has either pledged to sponsor such legislation or has sponsored one of the bills — Rep. Timothy Bonner, R-17th. It’s time to ask the rest what keeps them from adopting this popular reform.

I don’t believe that all politicians are on the take and I do believe there are honorable public servants, but it is well past time to outlaw the practice.

Michael Bagdes-Canning, Cherry Valley Borough