GUTHRIE - A State Representative who has pledged to not take gifts from lobbyists is using a recent mistaken lobbyist filing to call for the creation of a no gift list for legislators who do not want to receive gifts from lobbyists.

Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) asserts that he has returned or refused hundreds of dollars of lobbyists gifts during the past session. Murphey states that returning the gifts has been a major challenge for his office as gifts are sometimes left with his office staff or mailed to his home. "I want to spend my time in the legislature working for the people not accepting lobbyist gifts and certainly not going through the hassle of returning those gifts," Murphey said.

Murphey has considered sponsoring legislation allowing legislators to be placed on a no gift list but had taken no action on the idea. Murphey said he decided to press the issue on Monday when the Daily Oklahoman published a list of lawmakers who have received lobbyists gifts. Murphey was shocked when it was reported that he had received a $70 dinner from a lobbyist. "I don't think I have ever eaten a $70 dinner in my entire life much less one that was paid for by a lobbyist," he said. Murphey said he was back home in his district and was miles away from the restaurant where the lobbyist dinner occurred. The report filed by the lobbyist was an error. Murphey said that some of his constituents may not realize the mistake and may think Murphey has broken his pledge. "This mistake made it clear that we need a way to draw a clear line of protection for those lawmakers who do not want to accept gifts," Murphey said.

Murphey's proposal would create a list with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on which lawmakers could request placement. Lobbyists would be prevented from giving to those lawmakers. Murphey says if such a list were to be established it would put pressure on lawmakers as he believes their constituents would demand their lawmakers place themselves on the list. "This could be a fantastic tool for minimizing special interests' influence," Murphey said.

Murphey's proposal is based on a North Carolina General Assembly policy that took effect in March of 2006. Murphey states that 43 members of the North Carolina Assembly are currently listed on a "No-Gift" list.