PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Block wants lobbyists to pay more to lobby the General Assembly, and stiffer fines if they break the rules.
Block on Monday proposed lobbyist registration fees to rise from $5 annually to $50 if the lobbyist receives no pay for the work, and $1,000 per paying client if they do. He says fines for breaking rules should be raised from a maximum of $2,000 to $5,000 per violation.
Block says recent cases show the system is broken.
Lobbyist Ray Rickman failed until recently to disclose a $10,000 personal loan he gave in 2009 to former House Speaker Gordon Fox. Lawyer Michael Corso is accused of failing to file for work he did for 38 Studios. The secretary of state’s office enforces lobbying laws and is investigating.
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