By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri House Minority Leader Jeff Harris (D-Columbia) plans to file legislation Monday that would ban campaign fundraising during the state legislative session.
The bill would also require more complete public disclosure of lobbyist-funded meals and entertainment given to groups of lawmakers.
Harris says the federal lobbyist scandal involving Jack Abramoff has shaken the public's faith in government at all levels.
"I think when you remove those contributions from the legislative session time period, it's a good, strong step towards removing the influence of money on the policymaking process," Harris said Friday.
"If we put this ban into effect, we do away to a large extent with the perception - and he reality - that campaign contributions have an influence on the policymaking process."
If approved, the bill would apply to the regular session starting next January, as well as all special sessions.