Long Beach is ethically ahead of Los Angeles...

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.