Gov. Greitens outlaws lobbyist gifts to executive branch

Within the first hour of his administration, Gov. Eric Greitens signed an executive order banning all lobbyist gifts to those who hold office in the executive branch.

The order also prevents former executives from lobbying those who currently hold office.

“No one who has worked in my administration will ever lobby me, period,” said Greitens. “This is a first and important step toward cleaning up Jefferson City and it’s also a first and important step to taking Missouri in a new direction.”

The new governor said there will soon be similar legislative actions in the near future.

Multiple ethics reform bills are filed in both the Missouri House and Senate, including some proposing a ban on all lobbyist gifts from any office holder and implementing a three-year waiting period before a former lawmaker can become a lobbyist.

Greitens did not take questions from reporters after signing the executive order in his Capitol office.