First ethics legislation sent to governor

(The following was put out by several Missouri Republican legislators with each claiming it as their own capitol report.)

Making good on their promise to make substantive ethics reform a top priority, members of the General Assembly sent legislation to the Governor’s desk this week that would help improve the culture at the State Capitol. The legislation that has now received final approval from both the House and Senate would prohibit statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly from receiving compensation as paid political consultants.

The bill, which received bipartisan support in the House and unanimous approval in the Senate, would ensure that elected officials do not receive pay for campaign strategy or fundraising work while in office. As the sponsor of the legislation told his colleagues, some elected officials have used their positions to gain personal wealth, and the bill is meant to prevent this type of conflict of interest.

The bill now awaits the signature of the Governor, who has said he supports strengthening the state’s ethics laws.