There’s a move in the legislature to undo more of the strict ethics rules lawmakers have been living under since 1992. Under present rules, legislators can’t accept any food, drink or a gift that’s worth more than three dollars. The Senate State Government committee voted to raise that limit to five dollars — and to again allow big receptions for lawmakers. That practice ended when the gift restrictions went into effect eight years ago, but the bill would let groups host lawmakers, and spend over 22-hundred dollars on the party. Senator Sheldon Rittmer, a republican from DeWitt, says when unrestricted wining and dining was allowed, legislators made social connections which helped them work together. Senator Mike Sexton, a republican from Rockwell City, voted against raising the gift limit — saying he’s worried the sky’s the limit.The bill passed on a nine to four vote and goes before the 50-member Senate.
