House Speaker David Ralston of Blue Ridge plans to introduce legislation Tuesday calling for a total prohibition on what lobbyists can spend while trying to influence legislators. Right now, lobbyists can give as many gifts as they like if they disclose their spending on lawmakers.
State records show that Georgia lawmakers have been given thousands of dollars in tickets so they could watch football games, pro wrestling matches and monster truck races from a luxury box – while the state authority that runs the Georgia Dome is seeking to boost its borrowing limit to build a new stadium.
Lobbyists spent almost $10,000 a day on gifts for Georgia lawmakers during the legislative session. An analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows lobbyists spent $866,747 on gifts for lawmakers between Jan. 1 and March 31.