Law requires Fletcher to disclose contributors to legal defense fund by January 10th, but one Lawmaker has prefiled bill to require more "sunshine".
Read the pre-filed "Ernie Fletcher" bill.
Under current law, Fletcher is required to make a partial disclosure of those who contributed $200 or more by Jan. 10 (or 30 days after a Governor leaves office) in a report to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.
The pre-filed "Ernie Fletcher" bill will among other things, require Governors who set up legal defense funds to file periodic reports listing the donors and the amounts they contribute; prohibit a public servant or officer from accepting donations to a legal defense trust from any person or business who does business with the state; and, establish that a violation of the donor limitations or filing requirements constitutes a Class D felony and the forfeiture of employment or constitutional or statutory office.
"I think people have a right to know who's giving," said state Rep. Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, who is sponsoring the legislation. "This basically allows more transparency in terms of who is contributing."
"Gov. Beshear supports a revision of disclosure and reporting laws related to legal defense funds," Governor Steve Beshears' spokeswoman, Vickie Glass said. "He looks forward to working with Rep. Owens and others on this and other legislative matters."
The proposal also would bar anyone who works for state government from contributing to such a fund, a move intended to prevent elected officials from pressuring people to give.
"That's important," Owens said, "because the question is: Are they contributing to get business with the state or to keep business with the state?"
We welcome the proposed changes and ask members of the Legislature to QUICKLY adopt them.
Under current law, Fletcher is required to make a partial disclosure of those who contributed $200 or more by Jan. 10 (or 30 days after a Governor leaves office) in a report to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.
The pre-filed "Ernie Fletcher" bill will among other things, require Governors who set up legal defense funds to file periodic reports listing the donors and the amounts they contribute; prohibit a public servant or officer from accepting donations to a legal defense trust from any person or business who does business with the state; and, establish that a violation of the donor limitations or filing requirements constitutes a Class D felony and the forfeiture of employment or constitutional or statutory office.
"I think people have a right to know who's giving," said state Rep. Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, who is sponsoring the legislation. "This basically allows more transparency in terms of who is contributing."
"Gov. Beshear supports a revision of disclosure and reporting laws related to legal defense funds," Governor Steve Beshears' spokeswoman, Vickie Glass said. "He looks forward to working with Rep. Owens and others on this and other legislative matters."
The proposal also would bar anyone who works for state government from contributing to such a fund, a move intended to prevent elected officials from pressuring people to give.
"That's important," Owens said, "because the question is: Are they contributing to get business with the state or to keep business with the state?"
We welcome the proposed changes and ask members of the Legislature to QUICKLY adopt them.
Labels: Corruption, Democracy for sale, Keeping them honest
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 12:26 PM
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