Lobbying reform advocates may want to wait a bit before celebrating a reform proposal made public this morning.

House Speaker Pat Bauer proposed lobbying reforms this morning including a reporting requirement for gifts of $50 or more (the current threshold is $100.)  Republicans, meantime, point out that he killed several similar lobbying reform proposals earlier this year.

The Speaker’s apparent change of heart (though his presentation could be described as half-hearted) may have something to do with an ongoing  investigation into lobbying practices by Indiana newspapers.  There are other possible motivations including a desire to reduce the governor’s ability to assist GOP candidates in next year’s election.

Plus, a provision that applies to lobbyist conflicts of interest could be viewed as a poison pill.