Earlier today, the legislature’s Government Administration & Election’s Committee, of which she is a ranking member, heard testimony regarding several ethics bills, including one intended to close loopholes in state law as it applies to a much publicized incident regarding the distribution of invitations to a fundraiser for Governor Rell.

“Chief State’s Attorney Christopher Morano was very clear in his testimony about current state law, and the ability of his office to effectively prosecute alleged violations of our ethics laws as they are currently written. It is the General Assembly’s responsibility to pass clearly understood legislation,” said Senator Freedman.

“I thank the Chief State’s Attorney for his testimony regarding our proposals, and his explanation for his office’s response to the recent incident regarding the distribution of invitations to a fundraiser for the Governor. As he indicated, the legislature needs to clearly delineate what conduct is prohibited and who the prohibition applies to. If the prohibition is sufficiently clear, we can eliminate hard to prove "state of mind" issues from the enforcement process,” said Senator Freedman.