With Greitens’ blessing, lawmakers aim for lobbyist-gift ban

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri lawmakers hope that the upcoming session will finally produce a ban on lobbyist gifts, thanks to support from Republican Gov.-elect Eric Greitens. It’s among the top priorities for House Speaker Todd Richardson, who said he was personally disappointed when an ethics bills didn’t pass last session. Some lawmakers say a compromise might be needed, perhaps a cap instead of an outright ban. If they fail to deliver in the 2017 session, it’ll break a campaign promise from Greitens, who largely focused on how he’d tackle corruption in the Capitol.