Our proposed reforms

Twenty-three Indiana newspapers, serving more than 1.5 million readers have banded together to advocate for the following reforms:

  • Legislators may not accept any gift worth more than $50 in value from registered lobbyists.
  • Lobbyists must disclose the value of all goods and services offered to individual legislators or groups of lawmakers, including meals, tickets to sporting and entertainment events, or other gifts.
  • Legislators may not accept gifts, including payment of travel-related expenses, from businesses, organizations or individuals that do business with the state.
  • Legislators may not accept meals, tickets to athletic games or other events, or any other gift valued at more than $50 from state universities or colleges.
  • Former legislators may not work as registered lobbyists until one year after they leave office.
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    The Star Press

    For the past couple of weeks, The Star Press and 22 other newspapers serving 1.5 million readers in the state have printed articles and editorial cartoons detailing the plight of lobbying at the Indiana General Assembly.

    It's not a pretty picture, and reform is called for -- reform with real teeth.

    Currently, legislators may accept gifts of unlimited value from lobbyists. They even can interview for jobs with lobbying firms while still serving in elected office. This is wrong.
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