As the special session nears its end, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, leaves Gov. Jay Inslee’s office in Olympia on Monday after a closed-door budget meeting. Inslee has said a new session would start Wednesday, if needed. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times)
Legislators: Buy your own meals
Since the Legislature is going into a second special session, this is an excellent opportunity for the House and the Senate to amend the rules about meals and other gifts from lobbyists [“Second special session looms as two sides far apart,” NWTuesday, June 11].
Let’s assume that legislators will not sell their votes for meals, drinks or golf. When accepting these gifts, however, they are clearly giving their time to someone who wants to influence their votes. Legislators and lobbyists can buy their own meals and then meet after dinner at legislative facilities so the public can be aware of these meetings.
It’s not enough to avoid a conflict of interest; legislators must also avoid perceived conflicts of interest. Politics is an honorable profession, so it should appear to be an honorable profession.
Bill Laughlin, Seattle