Post by Logan on Apr 21, 2016 16:20:01 GMT -6
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) — Hours after the Missouri Senate on Wednesday sent legislation to Gov. Jay Nixon aimed at clamping down the state's loose ethics laws, senators voted for a provision to strip a gift ban from a bill that was intended to bar lobbyist gifts to lawmakers.
The measures are part of a renewed push for ethics reform following scandals that brought national attention to Jefferson City last year. Two lawmakers, including the former House speaker, resigned amid accusations of inappropriate behavior toward interns. The spotlight gave momentum to tighter ethics rules that have failed to pass for years.
The first measure that passed Wednesday would bar lawmakers and other statewide elected officials from becoming lobbyists until six months after the end of their terms and would apply to current and future officeholders. Senators voted 31-1 in favor of it.
Nixon appears likely to sign it; he's called for ethics changes since assuming office in 2009 and backs ending the revolving-door of lawmakers becoming lobbyists.
Read more: www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/21/missouri-lawmakers-send-ethics-bills-to-governor/83327572/
The measures are part of a renewed push for ethics reform following scandals that brought national attention to Jefferson City last year. Two lawmakers, including the former House speaker, resigned amid accusations of inappropriate behavior toward interns. The spotlight gave momentum to tighter ethics rules that have failed to pass for years.
The first measure that passed Wednesday would bar lawmakers and other statewide elected officials from becoming lobbyists until six months after the end of their terms and would apply to current and future officeholders. Senators voted 31-1 in favor of it.
Nixon appears likely to sign it; he's called for ethics changes since assuming office in 2009 and backs ending the revolving-door of lawmakers becoming lobbyists.
Read more: www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/21/missouri-lawmakers-send-ethics-bills-to-governor/83327572/