AG, Legislative leaders agree NH needs executive branch ethics code with the force of law. But disagree about penalties for violators.
The call for an ethics law with penalties originated with Democrats. But in the wake of a recent attorney general's report tightening standards has become a bipartisan concern. The report found former state Personnel director Joe D'Alessandro illegally funneled $187,000 in commissions from state heath care contracts to former Benson volunteer Linda Pepin…….
House speaker pro tem Shelia Francoeur spoke at the hearing on behalf of House republican leadership.
"The times in which we live require that we do go a head and implement a some sort of an ethics policy."
But exactly what sort of an ethics policy is needed depends on whom you ask. Republicans leaders are steadfast in their opposition to giving the code criminal teeth……Democrats meanwhile, insist violators should be subject to possible misdemeanor penalties. Senate Minority Leader Sylvia Larsen.
"Unless we show the public that we are serious about putting an end to some of the things we've seen recently, it’s only a matter of time before the same situation happens again. It's only a matter of time."
Among other things, the proposed code forbid officials from misusing their position, defines conflict of interests, and bars officials from becoming lobbyists for one year after leaving state service. The man charged with enforcing any new code of conduct -- Attorney General Peter Heed -- told lawmakers that supports strengthening standards.…..General Heed also pledged to help lawmakers craft a law that would apply to government volunteers and allow the state to recoup any ill-gotten money…..But when it came to the matter of the appropriate penalty for violations, Heed took a pass.
"I'm not going to weigh in on that heavily except to say it's important that it have enforceability. It’s important that it have that."
The Governor's office went unrepresented at the hearing….. Last week Craig Benson said he was comfortable with firing any public official who violates the public trust…..The Governor added, however, that he'd let the legislature and the attorney general complete work on the ethics proposal before he weighed in.
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