Connecticut Local Politics

Senate Democrats unveiled their plan to overhaul ethics today:

State Senate President Pro Tem Donald E. Williams was joined today by Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, and State Senators Gayle Slossberg and Edward Meyer to announce the Senate Democrats’ ethics package and agenda for the 2008 legislative session.


The Democrats’ proposals include:

* Revoke pensions of corrupt officials.

* Require ethics training for legislators and municipal elected officials.

* Examine Extending restrictions to State Officials who lobby legislators.

* Create a permanent bi-partisan process for investigating alleged misconduct by legislators.

* Enact a code of conduct and a criminal penalty for elected officials who fail to report a bribe.

“Some of these proposals are new, some have been considered in the past, but one thing they all have in common is the potential to strengthen the public’s trust in state government,” said Senator Williams. “We have made many improvements to our state’s ethics codes since the Rowland years, and we must stay vigilant in our efforts to improve transparency and give Connecticut families the government they deserve. I look forward to working with members of both parties to enact these important reforms into law.”

The permanent ethics committee is sadly necessary, and overdue. There are hints of Gaffey and DeLuca in here, interestingly. I hope they pass it quickly next year.