Ethics

Another Entry in Dumbest State Legislator Contest

By Ed Brayton

Rep. Jim Gooch of Kentucky, come on down. You're the next contestant in our Dumbest State Legislator contest. Why is Gooch here? Here's why:

Rep. Jim Gooch, a Democrat who is chairman of the state House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, was the subject of critical editorials and cartoons when he attempted to quash a coal mine safety bill and claimed global warming was a hoax. One editorial cartoon showed Gooch in a hot tub with King Coal.

The legislation he is pushing would list editorial writers and cartoonists as lobbyists. Since lobbyists aren't allowed in the House or Senate while lawmakers are in session, those journalists would essentially be banned from the chambers.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on February 15, 2008 (boomark / email).