By Dan Carden, Times of Northwest Indiana
dan.carden@nwi.com
INDIANAPOLIS | House Democrats will push for ethical reforms in state government when the General Assembly convenes in January, Speaker Patrick Bauer said Tuesday.
"Today's announcement demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the public's trust and a willingness to enact reforms that will make sure that conduct by all branches of government is above reproach," said Bauer, D-South Bend.
Among the proposed changes, the limit on lobbyist gifts to lawmakers would be reduced from $100 to $50, and elected officeholders and executive branch officials would be prohibited from becoming lobbyists for one year after leaving office.
"These proposals are aimed at providing clarity to the day-to-day activities of state lawmakers and ensure there is a necessary break to prevent any state elected official from using a former office to gain unfair advantages over others," Bauer said.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels already requires most of his executive branch officials to wait one year before returning as lobbyists.
State Sen. Patricia Miller, R-Indianapolis, tried during the 2009 legislative session to enact a similar one-year waiting period for lawmakers. Senate President David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said Miller will reintroduce that measure this year.
Both Long and House GOP leader Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said separately Tuesday they support a one-year waiting period.
Another reform proposal would limit who can make campaign donations.
People and businesses holding or bidding on state contracts would be prohibited from donating to campaigns at any time, similar to an existing ban on donations by the gambling industry.
In addition, the governor would be blocked from accepting campaign donations while the Legislature is in session. Legislators already don't raise money while in session.
"By enacting these guidelines, we will make sure that any expenditures of state funds are based upon the quality of a contractor's work product, rather than the size of their political contributions," Bauer said.
The speaker did not mention former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich by name, but said the reforms are intended to prevent the "pay-to-play" culture of Illinois politics from taking root in Indiana.