JEFFERSON CITY — When Allen Icet holds a fundraiser in Missouri's capital city the evening before next week's legislative veto session, he'll be asking lobbyists and others for money to help him become the Republican nominee for auditor.

But it's his current position as chairman of the House Budget Committee that gets top billing in the invitations sent out by the Wildwood Republican.

And that has some political observers crying foul.

"At the very least, there's the appearance of impropriety even if it's not intended," says longtime Republican donor Neal Etheridge, who hosted a fundraiser in Springfield recently for Icet's likely GOP primary opponent, Thomas Schweich of St. Louis. "It brings into question the concept of 'pay to play.'"

Just mentioning pay to play casts a bit of a pall over the Capitol these days. The FBI has been investigating the relationship between lobbyists, money and politicians in Missouri, checking into various allegations of lawmakers using their power for the benefit of their campaigns. During next week's veto session, there will be little action in the Capitol, but fundraisers like Icet's are scheduled all over the capital city.

As budget chairman, Icet wields considerable power in the decision-making process that divvies up billions of state dollars to the various special interests represented by the very lobbyists from whom he seeks campaign donations.

Icet and his Senate budget cohort, Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, both said in July that they'd consider stepping down from their budget chairman positions as they seek higher office. Nodler is running for Congress in southwest Missouri's 7th District. He hasn't made up his mind yet as to what he will do regarding his budget position, Nodler said.

"I probably won't decide until later this year," Nodler said.

But Icet already has decided, and he's bringing attention to his position as he raises money for the auditor's race.

"I think it's best for everyone if I continue on in my current role," Icet said. He dismisses suggestions that as budget chairman, he would tie political fundraising to decisions about how Missouri taxpayer dollars are spent.

"That's something I face every year," Icet said. "I think you can make that case for a lot of positions (in government). You have to walk a fine line and do what you think is the right thing to do."

It doesn't do much to help Icet's argument, however, that the wife of a lobbyist is heading up his fundraising effort.

Earlier this summer, House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, had prepared for the possibility that Icet would step down, going so far as to line up possible replacements, including budget Vice Chairman Rick Stream, R-Kirkwood. Richard is aware that Icet may face criticism, but he backs his chairman, both in his current position and in his race for auditor.

"I suspect anyone who does fundraising during session opens themselves up for criticism," Richard said. "But there isn't anybody I've ever known who has more respect than Allen. He's just a good guy."

Good guy or not, Icet is likely to face heat for his move, particularly if Nodler makes the opposite decision.

Etheridge, who is the former chairman of the 7th District Congressional Republican committee, said neither man has asked his advice, but he'd suggest to both of them they step down from their budget chairman positions.

"I think that politicians of both sides of the aisle who use their positions to pressure lobbyists and other members of the Legislature to financially support them, well, that's just very inappropriate," Etheridge said. "It leads to cynicism on the part of the public."