Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who has pushed for ethics reform and banned lobbyist gifts within his administration, accepted free tickets to a University of Utah basketball game last month worth $150.
However, Huntsman's spokeswoman, Lisa Roskelley, said that the tickets are allowed under the governor's gift ban because the university is a state-run institution and not a private entity.
"It's not considered part of the executive order on gifts," she said. "There is a provision in there that excludes government-to-government relations. The governor goes to University of Utah events sometimes. It's a state institution. He supports that state institution as he does many other agencies."
Huntsman attended the Utah-Texas Christian game at the Huntsman Center, which is named after his father. The Utes won 68-49.
"I don't see the distinction," said Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, the chairman of the House Ethics Committee. He said there was discussion when the Legislature was considering its lobbyist policy on how to treat gifts from government entities, and he was of the opinion they should be treated the same as any other perk.
"From my perspective, they operate just like any other business and should be held to the same standards," he said.
Legislators can accept gifts and tickets to sporting events from university lobbyists, and several did, including Rep. Jack Draxler, R-Logan; Sen. Peter Knudson, R-Brigham City; and Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R- Ogden, who each took $34 tickets to a Utah State University basketball game.
As with the tickets given to the governor, the gifts have to be reported.
Huntsman signed an executive order in February 2007 instituting an ethics policy for the executive branch, holding his administration to a higher standard than legislators. The order prohibits senior staffers from lobbying the administration for a year after leaving their position and banning most lobbyist gifts.
The order exempts "attendance or participation at events sponsored by another governmental entity."
However, in past reports, members of the governor's cabinet have been allowed to take tickets to University of Utah football games and accepted meals when they're appearing at events in their official capacity.
