Senator Judith G. Freedman (R-26) today joined other members of the legislature’s Government Administration & Elections Committee (GAE) in voting to send state government ethics reform legislation to the Senate for further consideration.

“I believe that this legislation goes a long way to clearing up any confusion that may exist as to what we think should be legally required of state employees with regards to ethics,” said Senator Freedman.

The legislation approved by the GAE Committee (SB 487, An Act Concerning Ethics In State Government) includes several provisions, such as:

• Making it a campaign finance violation for employees of the Governor’s office or legislative management to solicit campaign contributions during work hours; prohibiting former legislative employees from basically serving as lobbyists for one year after state service; and prohibiting a former governor from accepting a job with a state contractor, or potential state contractor, within one year after leaving office
• Allowing the courts to revoke a public official’s or employee’s pension, other than health benefits, when sentencing him, or her, for certain crimes; allows the Attorney General to bring civil action if the court does not.
• Making the Governor’s spouse a public official under the State Code of Ethics
• Prohibiting public officials and state employees from taking official action that solely benefits their employer
• Requiring agencies to post meeting agendas, minutes and votes on their websites