Ethics Boss Nixes Lobbyist Invites to Lawmakers
01/10/2012
Chad Blair/Civil Beat
Les Kondo strikes again.
The executive director of the State Ethics Commission issued two memos Monday to state legislators informing them that he was advising against accepting invitations to events hosted by lobbyists.
The first event — being held this evening at the Oahu Country Club — is the Pacific Resource Partnership's Annual Reception honoring the recipient of the 2012 Hawaii Carpenters Union Outstanding Union Builder Award.
Kondo said there appeared to be no "state benefit" associated with legislators or other government officials attendance at the reception, which featured "heavy pupus and an open bar."
The commission learned the cost per person was $100, and not the $40 estimated by Pacific Resource Partnership.
The second event — tomorrow at the Hawaii State Art Museum — is "A Taste of Ag" presented by the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.
The event, which will feature local produce and products and free drinks, is valued at $50.
The commission generally allows "food and drink" invitations valued at more than $25 if there is sufficient "state benefit" in lawmakers attendance. But the commission saw no benefit, observing that "both organizations and their members have interests that may be affected by official action by invited members of the legislature."
Kondo said that the State Ethics Code "prohibits state employees from accepting any gift, including a meal or an invitation to a 'food-and-drink' event, if it is reasonable to infer that the gift is intended to influence or reward official action."
The 2012 Hawaii Legislature opens for business Jan. 18.
