Senate proposal beefs up governor's ethics bill

State employees would face a more stringent ethics code under a Senate committee's proposed overhaul of an ethics bill championed by Gov. Steve Beshear.

The revised version of House Bill 250, which was discussed Friday by the Senate State and Local Government Committee, would prohibit public officials in the executive branch of government from a wide range of activities, including:

• accepting anything of value from a lobbyist,
• participating in a decision that would have a financial impact on the official, a family member or business associate,
• soliciting or accepting campaign contributions for himself or a caucus campaign committee from lobbyists.

The measure also prohibits non-merit government workers from contracting with the state and bans for two years executive branch officials from taking a job or acting as a lobbyist for any agency they dealt with as a public official.

Also, the bill would require executive branch lobbyists to report their expenditures monthly, rather than yearly.

Several committee members had questions about a provision of the bill that would require the Executive Branch Ethics Commission or the Legislative Ethics Commission to dismiss a complaint if the person making the complaint discloses it publicly.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly said the provision would cut back on politically-motivated complaints designed only to embarrass a public official.

Although the Senate's revised bill adds several new requirements to House Bill 250, it leaves untouched almost all of the ethics proposals championed by Beshear.

Committee chairman Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said he hopes the committee will be able to vote on the bill Monday afternoon.

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- John Stamper

Comments

[JIM ANDERSON STIVERS]

LIFT FROM PREVIOUS POST:

Several committee members had questions about a provision of the bill that would require the Executive Branch Ethics Commission or the Legislative Ethics Commission to dismiss a complaint if the person making the complaint discloses it publicly.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly said the provision would cut back on politically-motivated complaints designed only to embarrass a public official.

Although the Senate's revised bill adds several new requirements to House Bill 250, it leaves untouched almost all of the ethics proposals championed by Beshear.

WASN'T IT A LITTLE BOY, IN HOLLAND, THAT PUT HIS FINGER IN THE DIKE. . .AND FOUND OUT LATER IT WAS TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE . . . Maybe I missed the point on that story.?

HMMM.

LIFT FROM PREVIOUS POST:

Several committee members had questions about a provision of the bill that would require the Executive Branch Ethics Commission or the Legislative Ethics Commission to dismiss a complaint if the person making the complaint discloses it publicly.

Kudos, Senate Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly

JAS IN FRANKFORT

[Bill Adkins]

I see Dan Kelly and Damon Thayer want to govern in secret - what next? A Star Chamber? Opean air and light is good for growth. If it's 'politically motivated,' that will be easily discerned by the public. Dismissal a complaint if the person making the complaint discloses it publicly is ludicrous. What are Kelly and Thayer really afraid of?

[Bill Adkins]

Opean? No - nothing to do with Andy and Opie. Try 'Open.'