DENVER -- Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Merkley was pleased on Thursday that the court upheld a lobbying gifts limit law that the legislature passed in 2007.

"I think that's great," Merkley, the state House speaker, said. "I really worked to change the culture in Oregon so that politicians are accessible to the public, and accountable to the public."

Marion County Circuit Judge Joseph Guimond ruled that the law limiting gifts to legislators to $50 was constitutional. It had been challenged by lobbyist John DiLorenzo, who argued that limiting lobbying gifts to legislators was an impingement on free expression.

According to a report from the Associated Press, DiLorenzo intends to appeal the ruling.