Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Ethics Reform Legislation
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today signed a strong ethics reform bill into law that will bring greater transparency to the political fundraising process and place greater restrictions on lobbyist activities.
“This legislation came to my desk with strong bipartisan support from both chambers because state lawmakers, like me and many Missourians knew that the old system simply was not working,” Blunt said. “The changes I am enacting today wil l shed light on the true sources of campaign contributions and the actions of lobbyists who work to shape public policy. This is a strong step in the right direction that empowers the people with greater information about the men and women who seek to se rve them in public office.”
House Bill 1900 includes a provision added by Sen. Tim Green (D-St. Louis) that eliminates restrictive campaign contribution limits. This measure will provide the openness many Missourians have called for to determine the source of campaign contributions and eliminates financial contributions from political parties and local committees. The United States Supreme Court declared campaign finance limits to be unconstitutional.
The new law will also require lobbyists to file annual reports rather than just when they register for the first time and that they report expenses on staff, employees, spouses and children of elected officials.
Other key provisions of HB 1900 include:
- Requires out-of-state travel by lawmakers paid for by lobbyists to be pre-approved by the accounts committee
- Prohibits fundraising during the legislative session
- Prohibits felons from running for office
- Prohibits many legislative caucuses from receiving gifts from lobbyists
- Holds those who file frivolous complaints with the state ethics commission accountable
- Requires the ethics commission to post third party expenditures supporting or opposing a candidate for office on its website
Blunt’s signing of HB 1900 follows the strict code of conduct policy he issued for his own office in May prohibiting his staff from accepting gifts from lobbyists. No previous Missouri governor implemented a lobbyist gift ban and Blunt’s office believes it is the first to produce an employee manual setting out the policies and procedures under which the governor’s office operates.
The manual and the gift ban are consistent with Blunt’s campaign promise to provide more trust and accountability in state government.
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