My "No Free Lunch" Policy is simple: I do not accept gifts from lobbyists. None. No lunches. No dinners. No tickets to sporting events or concerts.
No gifts. Period.
What seems like a very simple approach recently led to an interesting dilemma I'd like to share.
The fact that I refuse to accept gifts of any value does not prevent lobbyists from attempting to give these gifts to me--and Indiana's lobbying reporting requirements force lobbyists to report gifts valued at over $50.
And thus, my dilemma: if someone looks at my annual reporting forms, they will find that I have reported "$0" in gifts. But a thorough review of the hundreds of lobbyists' reportings of gifts will reveal several references to my name...even though I will have refused all of the gifts offered to me!
I may well seek to introduce legislation in the future that will address this situation. Until the law is changed, I will need to post this information so that the citizens of Indiana House District 25 are aware of my "No Free Lunch" Policy and the reporting policies that make it appear as though I have accepted gifts from lobbyists.
Thank you for reading about this issue. I would like to get your thoughts about my "no free lunch" policy! Please contact me:
- email me at h25@in.gov; or
- call the Statehouse at 232-9600; or
- mail your comments to my Statehouse office:
State Rep. Jeb Bardon
Indiana House of Representatives
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Thanks again for taking time to learn more about my "No Free Lunch" Policy.
Jeb Bardon
State Representative
Indiana House District 25