Alaska state Rep. Richard Foster is sick. The lawmaker had a stroke last week, and he's in need of a new kidney. Fortunately, several people in the state Capitol have offered to donate a kidney to the Foster.
The problem? Donating a kidney apparently would violate the state's ethics law, which spells out strict limits on the gifts legislators can receive. The law does have an exemption for "compassionate gifts" -- which would include a kidney -- but those are prohibited if they exceed $250.
And a kidney, apparently, costs more than $250.
The state might amend the law to strike the spending limit on compassionate gifts. In the meantime, though, Foster might be well advised to accept the kidney and pony up the fine for the ethics violation.
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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