If I accepted these "gifts" in my government job, I would not only get fired, I would go to the gray bar motel for an extended stay and rightfully so. Why are these idiots above the conflict of interest laws? Do you want these politicians representing we the people that elected them or the lobbyists that own them? That is what a conflict of interest is, its as easy as that. Accepting "gifts" with a "wink wink" to "make policy" errrrrrrrrrr, "take into consideration" a policy or law, to benefit the lobbyist or certain group. These politicians should be locked up for accepting these ownership bids from lobbyists. Accepting "gifts" makes politicians vulnerable to blackmail. Kings used to expect and accept "gifts". Is this what we have come to?

I for one am sick of this double standard. These politicians are in charge to oversee the spending of our money that they believe they can spend better than us.

Its time for change people. THROW THE BUMS OUT! Don't vote for the big R or D just because you blindly follow either. Term limits would help to.

What are you talking about?
Don't you know this is Utah

They do not follow the rules here
Ethic's?
What is that?

You are not important but
You should be concerned about your goofy neighbor

For 5 years I listened to the kid beat the drums day in and day not complaining

Our state legislature is full of dishonorable despots that once in office live for the free junkets and jazz game tickets.

I am embarrassed to be represented by these men.

I agree that the State of Utah's legislators are corrupt individuals, in a corrupt institution, and that these conferences give them an opportunity to acquire more skill at acting corrupt and wicked by learning how to further institutionally aggress against honest and peaceful Americans who wish to be left alone.

These annual NCSL, CSG, and ALEC meetings are not unlike trade shows for state racketeers.

However, these are conferences targeted to their legislative profession, and that in and of itself is not corrupt.

Has not reporter Bernick traveled to attend a conference for journalists to improve his skills? If not, that explains much about his reportage.

Do not doctors, engineers, teachers, salespeople, fast food employees ("Hamburger University"), and others travel to conferences to become better at what they do?

And given that the NCSL and CSG conferences are paid with extorted taxpayer dollars and the ALEC conference is paid for with voluntarily-acquired corporate dollars, the latter is funded with less coercion than the former.

How did your photographer get a picture of Bramble smiling? Was someone waving a pair of Jazz tickets?

Whoever took this picture should be out there tracking down Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster.

Did someone use the word Ethics and Utah Lawmakers in the same sentence? Show me an ethical politician.

Public employees don't get many perks; just considered the travel as well-deserved bonuses.

I am sure that not all politicians are dishonest. Rather than demonize the bunch, identify the offenders and vote them out. I would start with Bramble and Curtis.

These people are not public employees, do not confuse them with the public servants(slaves) these are elected officials that Utahn trust to be honest and ethical but if they go to your Ward they don't have to be, just smile and be nice and you will vote for them. I guess they changed the quetionairs on getting a temple recomment - honesty doesn't come in to play anymore.

After reading the other comment about how rare a sight it is, I started thinking of humorous reasons he could be smiling, everything from sticking a thumb in the eye of the UTA general manager to stuff that is hilarious but unfit to print.

So I invite clever or not so clever minds everywhere to provide the funniest answer to the question: Why is Curt Bramble smiling?

VOTE AGAINST ANY INCUMBENT!!!!THROW THE BUMS/THEIVES OUT.JAIL ALL LOBBYIST!!!!!

Have we all forgotten last summers trip to China, China may have endorsed or paid for some of the trip but I do believe that there was $20,000 dollars set aside by the House speaker and some from the Senate to make the trip. I have been wondering where the contributions from the friendship with China have shown up to make our fair state a better place to live. Anyone seen any improvements in our living standards since the our fair lawmakers returned?

These folks never cease to amaze me. What an embarrassment. Throw em out. . .

The last Legislator to go out of town on the tax payers dime, when they were not going to return to office was David Hogue in 2006. Now Dave is trying to return to his old seat. Guess all those years was not enough to fill his thirst for power.