PSC OKs ban on free meals for staff

Members and staff at the Louisiana Public Service Commission cannot accept free meals and drinks from the utility companies they regulate, the panel decided today in a vote that gives it tougher ethic…

Members and staff at the Louisiana Public Service Commission cannot accept free meals and drinks from the utility companies they regulate, the panel decided today in a vote that gives it tougher ethics rules than those governing other elected officials. The 3-2 vote ends months of debate over the issue, which produced accusations that PSC members can be swayed in their votes with dinners and drinks provided by the electric and other energy companies they oversee. PSC member Foster Campbell, the ban’s chief backer, said commissioners needed to accept the meals prohibition and move on to more important matters. “We’ve kicked this dog too long,” says Campbell, an Elm Grove Democrat. “Let’s get this over with.” Most other elected officials in the state, such as legislators, can accept free meals from lobbyists only if they’re worth less than $50. The new rule still allows PSC members to attend conferences and other meetings where food and drink are provided. It also allows them to accept campaign contributions from companies they regulate. Opposition came from the newest commissioner, Eric Skrmetta, who argued at his first meeting that the meals prohibition will “stifle dialogue” between the PSC and private firms. Skrmetta said he found it “insulting” that critics have suggested that commissioners’ votes can be influenced by free dinners. “Clearly the suggestion is that commissioners and staff are for sale,” says Skrmetta, a Metairie Republican.