Senate President Courtney and Majority Leader Brown Announce Five-Point Plan For Ethics Reform

They say the [lan will bring comprehensive reform to ethics laws, including strict new gift limits and dedicated funding for ethics commission.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Senate President Peter Courtney and Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown announced Friday a five-point ethics reform package for consideration in the 2007 legislative session.

Senate Bill 10 is sponsored by both Courtney and Brown, who are committed to making it one of the first priorities of the session.

“Oregonians expect ethics reform and we are committed to delivering it,” said Courtney (D- Salem/Gervais/Woodburn).

“This package of strong reforms makes more information available to the public and holds public officials accountable.”

The bill, to be introduced on the opening day of session: Dedicates funding for the Government Standards and Practices Commission; Strengthens reporting requirements; Increases penalties for ethics violations; Prohibits legislators from becoming lobbyists for one year after leaving office; and Creates strict new gift limits modeled on the Colorado gift ban, which prohibits lobbyist-paid travel, expensive meals with lobbyists, and other gifts worth more than $50.

“Senate Bill 10 will be the first Senate bill to receive a hearing this session, and the Rules Committee will meet next Thursday to get to work,” said Brown (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

“This issue is critical to the public’s confidence in government, and we are committed to maximizing public input during our hearings, which will include a full discussion and debate of our proposed package and other leading ethics reform models.”

Courtney and Brown also applauded the work of Speaker-elect Jeff Merkley and other House leaders, who have made ethics reform and accountable government a centerpiece of their legislative agenda.

“House leadership clearly has made this issue a priority, and it will be an important effort for the entire legislature,” said Courtney.

Brown, who participated in a special review of ethics laws by the Oregon Law Commission during the interim, added that “the Law Commission’s hard work over the past year has provided a strong foundation that we have built upon in pursuing comprehensive ethics solutions.”