No Gifts Amendment Media Tip Sheet

John Wood has two amendments before the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

1. Gift List

First, is 6. 257:20-1 -9 (i), which creates a “gift list” [Alternative 1 ] or “no gifts list” [Alternative 2] whereby legislators can specify whether they will or will not accept things of value from lobbyists.

This lists amendment provides two alternatives. One, a list a public officials put themself on to proclaim: “I don’t accept gifts.” Alternatively, the second list is where a public official can say: “I want to accept gifts.”

2. No Gifts Amendment

Second, Wood’s No Gifts Amendment, Amendment no. 9, before the Ethics Commission has gained much media attention lately. The proposed amendment would simply ban “things of value,” meaning direct compensation to public officials. Oklahoma would be the 8th state to do so.

Businesses are banned from directly giving gifts to public officials according to the state constitution, however, their lobbyist employees may. Past gifts include OU football tickets, alcohol and meals. Average citizens cannot afford to compete in the buying of their elected officials’ time.

Goal

The purpose is to give the public faith in our officials again. This is a clean government measure.

Clarification

However, “things of value” currently has 21 exceptions in the rules, including (g) and (s), which would allow lobbyists to have invited guests to meals or do so if the
whole legislature is invited. Much of the opposition to this rule is actually covered by these exemptions.

How you can help

This won’t happen by itself, we need to stand before our legislators and the ethics commission and let the people be heard.

Ban gifts. Please, call the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and let them know what you think: (405) 521-3451 or email Marilyn Hughes Marilyn.Hughes@ethics.ok.gov.