Post by Logan on May 6, 2016 22:47:49 GMT -6
Tickets to Iowa State University men's basketball games were hard to land for Cyclones' fans this year, but they were easier for one group: legislators being entertained by President Steven Leath.
Ten lawmakers accepted invitations to sit with Leath courtside at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, including House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and education appropriations subcommittee chairman Rep. Cecil Dolecheck, a review by the Associated Press shows. While legislators paid a face value for their tickets, ranging from $25 to $50 apiece, comparable seats are usually only available to major donors or cost far more through ticket brokers.
Lawmakers avoided fees of $4 to $6 apiece assessed on tickets bought by phone and online, the way most fans acquire them. They could also access Johnny's, the concourse-level sports bar usually open only to top donors, where soda and appetizers are free and alcohol is sold.
Lawmakers denied that the arrangement violates the state's gift law, which bars them from taking anything worth $3 or more from those trying to influence legislation. They argued the courtside seats were not gifts, since they paid the same face value price as an average fan in the stands. Besides, said Rep. Chip Baltimore, "they're kind of crappy seats."
Read more: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/06/perk-lawmakers-courtside-seats-iowa-state-hoops/84023462/
Ten lawmakers accepted invitations to sit with Leath courtside at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, including House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and education appropriations subcommittee chairman Rep. Cecil Dolecheck, a review by the Associated Press shows. While legislators paid a face value for their tickets, ranging from $25 to $50 apiece, comparable seats are usually only available to major donors or cost far more through ticket brokers.
Lawmakers avoided fees of $4 to $6 apiece assessed on tickets bought by phone and online, the way most fans acquire them. They could also access Johnny's, the concourse-level sports bar usually open only to top donors, where soda and appetizers are free and alcohol is sold.
Lawmakers denied that the arrangement violates the state's gift law, which bars them from taking anything worth $3 or more from those trying to influence legislation. They argued the courtside seats were not gifts, since they paid the same face value price as an average fan in the stands. Besides, said Rep. Chip Baltimore, "they're kind of crappy seats."
Read more: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/06/perk-lawmakers-courtside-seats-iowa-state-hoops/84023462/