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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Long Beach is ethically ahead of Los Angeles...

Seal of Los Angeles, California. On March 27, ...
Seal of Los Angeles, California. On March 27, 1905 Ordinance 10,834 authorized and described the City Seal still being used today http://cityclerk.lacity.org/cps/pdf/cityseals.pdf. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Los Angeles Times columnist, Steve Lopez, wrote a column about how the City Council of Los Angeles was increasing the value of the gifts its members could receive from lobbyists: " And with the holiday shopping season about to get under way, the council lifted the limit on gifts from $100 to $150."

Long Beach should be proud that its City Council cannot receive gifts of any value from lobbyists. Nada...nothing, zero.

This was my legislation which I had been advocating for several years. Didn't make sense to me why elected officials should accept anything from anyone wanting to do business with the City. (In fact, I had a policy in my office from the start -- No Gifts Period.

One of my colleagues complained that he should be able to get a Christmas gift. I pointed out that these people weren't our friends and that the gifts would stop once the council member left council.

I would like to see the ban on gifts to elected officials expanded to include contractors or anyone seeking a license or permit from the City.

Hey, I know the economy is tough. But City Councilmembers in Los Angeles make $180,000 a year. Long Beach councilmembers make $16.90 an hour or @ $31,000 a year. They need to give up the gifts. Their voters will appreciate it.

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