An analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows lobbyists spent $866,747 on gifts for lawmakers between Jan. 1 and March 31. That's the equivalent of $9,525 per day. The gifts included more than $17,000 in free sports and events tickets, dinners that cost as much as $245 apiece and golf outings. (Photo Courtesy of sayednairb via Flickr.)
An analysis by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows lobbyists spent $866,747 on gifts for lawmakers between Jan. 1 and March 31. That's the equivalent of $9,525 per day.
The gifts included more than $17,000 in free sports and events tickets, dinners that cost as much as $245 apiece and golf outings.
The expenditures came as a statewide coalition called the Georgia Alliance for Ethics Reform urged legislators to limit lobbyists' gifts to $100 per event. The measure never emerged from committee during the 40-day session.
There are signs of change: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle's office told the newspaper on Friday he plans to study the issue of lobbying later this year.
