House supports removal of gift ban exception

Free food and beverages for legislators under a provision added in 2013 to the state’s gift ban law may no longer count as an exception.

“That provision specified that members of the Legislature are allowed to take free meals from lobbyists and free meals from people trying to influence legislation so as long as the entire Legislature is invited to do so,” said Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), the sponsor of HF1986, which would eliminate the exception. “I think it is important that we take action this session to eliminate that loophole that we opened up,” he added.

He disagreed with the idea that legislators would get along better with each other if they could attend the receptions for free. It is not the cost of the receptions that prevents legislators from attending, Winkler said, but time and “the way this culture has changed to become more partisan and more based on gridlock politics.”

The House passed the bill 123-3 Monday. It now goes to the Senate, where Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville) is the sponsor.

“I think this is a good measure for us to do in this ‘unsession.’ We’re going to be batting 1.000 here: last week getting rid of the bad taxes from the 2013 session and now with this piece, bad policy for lawmakers across the state,” said Rep. Sarah Anderson (R-Plymouth).

Winkler blamed the Senate for the current food and beverage exception in the gift ban law, but Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) disagreed. “I would appreciate it if the majority would instead of pointing fingers take responsibility while we do the right thing for the people of Minnesota,” he said.