Two state lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill Monday they said will make state government more transparent and less susceptible to corruption by tightening rules on lobbying, campaign contributions and public records.
“There are some of us out there who are on your side,” said Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Olive Branch. “Some of us are working for more open, honest government.”
Flowers co-sponsored the legislation with Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis.
Senate Bill 2731 grew out of a legislative watchdog report last year. The Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee was critical of state colleges and universities hiring private lobbyists to press their interests in the Legislature. The report found $350,000 was spent on lobbyists by colleges from 2003 to 2007, mostly by Mississippi State University.
Magnolia Tribune
