This Salt Lake Tribune editorial endorses an absolute gift ban.

“If someone wants to go and have a dinner with a lobbyist, that’s fine,” [bill sponsor Rep. Brad] Dee said.  We agree.  But they should go Dutch.  And if lawmakers don’t want to pay their own way, and they still feel it’s essential to hear what the lobbyists have to say, then why not meet at the office?

Holding a public office should entitle lawmakers to a salary and the right to represent the people who elected them. And nothing more. The Legislature needs to enact an absolute gift ban.