Beebe may not understand that coal-fired power plants should be outlawed but at least he understands that state regulatory agencies can't accept gifts

Let's hope he isn't going to accept any gifts from AEP-SWEPCO or any other state-regulated body.

The Morning News

Local News for Northwest Arkansas


Beebe Nixes Proposed Repeal Of ABC Gift Ban

By John Lyon
THE MORNING NEWS
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/12/17/news/121808lrliquorlaws.txt
LITTLE ROCK -- The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has dropped plans to ask state lawmakers to repeal a law banning ABC employees from accepting gifts from the people they regulate after Gov. Mike Beebe frowned on the change.

ABC officials had planned to request a repeal of the law as part of a draft bill the agency is preparing for the 2009 legislative session that starts next month, but a Beebe spokesman said Wednesday the governor believes the law should remain in place.

"We've been reviewing that proposal as it goes along, and there are some parts we agree with," spokesman Matt DeCample said. "Repealing the rule in regards to gifts is not something that we agree with."

DeCample said because of "the nature of the regulation and the enforcement that ABC undertakes, we think it's a good rule to have."

ABC is a division of the state Department of Finance and Administration, part of the executive branch of state government. ABC Director Michael Langley said Wednesday, "I support the governor's decision."

Just a day earlier, Langley had said the division was considering asking lawmakers to repeal section 3-2-208 of the Arkansas Code, which prohibits a division employee from soliciting or accepting a gift from any manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of alcoholic beverages or any person who has applied with the division for any type of permit.

Langley said Tuesday the law has "no teeth" because it does not provide a penalty. ABC employees already have to report gifts and comply with other ethics laws that apply to all state employees, he said.

DeCample said Wednesday, "Just because there are no penalties in the rule, that does not mean that violators will not be held accountable."

DeCample said Beebe does not oppose the division's plans to seek across-the-board fee increases that Langley has said would generate an additional $1.5 million to $1.75 million per year.

"They're targeted because of the increased enforcement needs and requirements placed on ABC, and we understand their need for that," the governor's spokesman said.