Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
City Council prohibits gifts from lobbyists
Nonlobbyists are limited to $100 gifts, except tickets to charitable, athletic or educational events.
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 27, 2006
TAMPA - After debating changes to its gift policy for months, the City Council on Thursday voted to follow the lead of the Florida Legislature and ban gifts from lobbyists.
It also voted to limit gifts from nonlobbyists to less than $100, unless they are tickets to a charitable, athletic or educational event. In that case, the value of the gift would be unlimited.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the change, with Rose Ferlita casting the dissenting vote, and John Dingfelder and Shawn Harrison absent.
Ferlita said she would prefer a policy that prohibits gifts from anyone.
The current city ethics code allows officials to accept gifts worth up to $100 from lobbyists as well as nonlobbyists.
The city's ethics discussion began in May when council member Linda Saul-Sena asked city attorney David Smith and City Council attorney Martin Shelby to recommend ways to improve the city's code.
Smith came back with revisions that would allow an exemption for community events, such as football games and fundraising soirees.
The revision requires two public hearings before it becomes law. No dates have been set for the hearings.
[Last modified January 27, 2006, 06:18:02]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
