What you need to know: No limits on Mississippi public officials taking gifts

Luke Ramseth Geoff Pender
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
View Comments

Here are key takeaways from the Clarion Ledger's investigation into university lobbying in Mississippi. Follow the links to view the series

1. Mississippi officials got hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from public universities.

Many of the handouts were sports tickets — more than $200,000 of them from 2015 to 2018. Officials also received pricey meals, hotel rooms, sports memorabilia and even lamps. 

More:Mississippi lawmakers receive hundreds of thousands in gifts from state universities

2. The top-compensated lawmaker got $8,500 in freebies.

And almost 40 other officials got at least $2,000 worth of gifts, much of it sports tickets, over a four-year period. The recipients aren't all lawmakers: Statewide elected officials, mayors, government staffers and family members also cashed in. 

More:Here's how much each Mississippi university gave in gifts lobbying public officials

3. Mississippi lacks rules, oversight.

Unlike many other states, Mississippi law doesn't prevent lobbyists from handing out as many gifts as they want to lawmakers and other public officials. The universities are also legally allowed to use public money for lobbying, though they say they usually use private foundation funds.  

More:No limits: Other states ban gifts to lawmakers. Why doesn't Mississippi?

4. It's hard to tell if universities have gotten their money's worth.

The universities often outspend private interest groups on lobbying. Yet higher education has faced drastic cuts just like other public agencies in recent years. University leaders say those cuts are why they've had to hike tuition prices. 

Mississippi State University spent the second most of any university on lobbying gifts for public officials. The university and its foundation spent nearly $66,000, all in the form of free tickets.

5. Universities say it's money well spent. Lawmakers argue gifts don't impact decisions. 

University officials say the spending is all about developing relationships with lawmakers, so they're able to help answer key questions about legislation and funding issues that could affect their campuses. Lawmakers insist the gifts don't impact their judgment, and that universities have a right to lobby officials like private interest groups. 

More:Public officials taking gifts: You don't know what you don't know


Public Office Private Gain looks at how lawmakers use their offices to leverage gifts, money and more.


View Comments