Mo. House Democrats Seeking Ethics Reforms
By: Missouri News Horizon
Updated: November 27, 2012
(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) Democrats in the Missouri House of Representatives announced a wide-ranging set of ethics and campaign finance reform legislation they plan to file for the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
State Rep. Kevin McManus, a Kansas City Democrat, said Tuesday he will file the legislation modeled closely after legislation that received bipartisan support just three years ago.
McManus's legislation would aim to expand the enforcement ability of the Missouri Ethics Commission, institute a $5,000 cap on contribution limits, and restrict committee-to-committee transfers of campaign funds.
"It is an unfortunate reality that money and politics go hand in hand, but if Missourians are to have any confidence in their government, they need to know exactly who their elected officials are holding hands with," McManus said. "Under this bill, those who seek to influence public officials will no longer be able to hide in the shadows."
Additionally, McManus is seeking to limit the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. His bill would limit the amount of gifts lawmakers could accept from lobbyists, and impose a two-year waiting period before a lawmaker could begin lobbying the General Assembly after leaving office.
McManus's legislation would aim to expand the enforcement ability of the Missouri Ethics Commission, institute a $5,000 cap on contribution limits, and restrict committee-to-committee transfers of campaign funds.
"It is an unfortunate reality that money and politics go hand in hand, but if Missourians are to have any confidence in their government, they need to know exactly who their elected officials are holding hands with," McManus said. "Under this bill, those who seek to influence public officials will no longer be able to hide in the shadows."
Additionally, McManus is seeking to limit the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers. His bill would limit the amount of gifts lawmakers could accept from lobbyists, and impose a two-year waiting period before a lawmaker could begin lobbying the General Assembly after leaving office.
The bill also aims to address some issues that have arisen during the latest cycle with non-profit entities being established to hide the source of funding.
The Democrats' bill would require non-profit entities which chose to be active politically to disclose their donors and make it a crime to intentionally obscure the source of funding.
Republicans, led by incoming House Speaker Tim Jones, have made clear their opposition this year to any sweeping ethics reforms.
With vast majorities in both chambers, McManus's effort may be just a stepping stone for reformers, many of whom are already looking at launching a series of ballot measures to address the issues.
The Democrats' bill would require non-profit entities which chose to be active politically to disclose their donors and make it a crime to intentionally obscure the source of funding.
Republicans, led by incoming House Speaker Tim Jones, have made clear their opposition this year to any sweeping ethics reforms.
With vast majorities in both chambers, McManus's effort may be just a stepping stone for reformers, many of whom are already looking at launching a series of ballot measures to address the issues.
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