Gov. creates ethics reform task force
From Sunshine Review
8 November 2008
In the wake of recent scandals, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has created a new task force to recommend possible changes to ethics reform laws. The 12 member bipartisan task force will have 60 days to issue its recommendations.[1]
Scandals
Patrick said he has been frustrated by the recent series of ethics investigations surrounding Democratic House and Senate leaders. He said it has been the controversies over the arrest of Sen. Diane Wilkerson (D-Boston) and the refusal of House Speaker Sal DiMasi to turn over documents that led to the creation of the task force.
The Governor stated, “I think among the many sad things that is the result of those accumulated or series of charges, is it casts a pall on the good work of the many good people who serve in the Legislature, who serve in the government and do so with enormous integrity.”[1]
Task force duties
The 12 member task force includes four legislators, former attorney general Scott Harshbarger, Pamela Wilmot of Common Cause, and former state ethics officials. Patrick said, "I can tell you the task force is going to be looking at a whole host of issues, not in reinventing our ethics framework, because it is pretty good right now, but how we can be sure we have the most serious set of penalties and we don’t have overlap in the enforcement of those laws.”[1]
They will also be looking at laws which make bribery offenses misdemeanors, restrictions on lobbyist activities at the Statehouse, and eliminating requirements for legislative approval of local projects.[1]
Citizens with any reform suggestions are welcome to send them to the task force - integrity.taskforce@massmail.state.ma.us.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Patrick tasks panel with ethics reform, November 8, 2008
