Legislative Ethics Commission Seeking Changes

{Kentucky}...Changes the Legislative Ethics Commission will seek in the 2012 General Assembly that begins in January include prohibiting a lobbyist from buying food or drink, even a cup of coffee, for a state lawmaker. Also, companies that employ lobbyists would not be able to contribute to the campaign of a legislative candidate while the General Assembly is in regular session, and no legislator's spouse could be employed as a lobbyist. The Senate State and Local Government Committee, led by Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, will hold a meeting at the end of this month to inform members of the proposed changes. State Senator Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, says she plans to file legislation for the ethics panel in the 2012 session, as she has done previously.