While the legislative ethics committee mulls the fate of Gene Chandler, lawmakers are considering several bills inspired by the former House Speaker's actions.
As state justice officials briefed reporters on its investigation of Gene Chandler, the house election law committee was busy hearing proposals would put an end to Chandler-style fundraising.
"My intent here is to prohibit cash from being given for personal use."
Hudson House Republican Shawn Jasper has long been one of the former house speakers most vocal critics……As drafted, his proposal would bar public servants from accepting anything of pecuniary benefit from people or entities with business before the legislature…….The bill would, however, still allow lawmakers to accept things like meals, tickets to a sporting or to the theatrical events without penalty… Canaan Democrat Peter Solomon has another proposal. He would prohibit elected officials from accepting any gift in excess of 50 dollars.….Solomon says his bill does not seek to eliminate the so-called friends of-committees, but to relegate them to their proper place.
"It doesn’t mean that you can't have money raised for your campaign…. It just means that they can't pay your mortgage, buy you a car or whatever."
Chandler's fundraising scandal has also prompted concerns about gifts and contributions…….to lawmakers by lobbyists……
"I belive that the people of NH have the right to know when influential and connected special interests when special interests."
Manchester Democrat Peter Sullivan is proposing to require what he called a two-pronged disclosure.
"One would require disclore by lobbyists themselves of any gifts or campaign contribuitions…..The second deals with candidates -- anyone who receives a contibuition from a lobbyist would have to report it as an itemeized statement."
With only three weeks to crossover day the house has little time to deal with such bills…..Election law committee chairman Mike Whalley says it's hard to predict which proposals might emerge and in what form……But the man who served for 4 years as Gene Chandlers number 2 says he's well aware that the public will be watching.
"Certainly the committee realizes the sense of urgency that surround the content of all of these bills and if we can produce one sooner than later because it answers a specific need that we can do that."
And what could emerge as the most pressing need for the short term is the crafting of a new policy regarding cash gifts……..After briefing the press on the Chandler investigation, State Attorney General Kelly Ayotte visited the election law committee …….She offer her office's services……and a warning what inaction on the cash gift front could yield…..
"My concern is that if there is not a serious discussion on putting some limitation on that, every time an elected official receives that type of gift then we are going to be asked to investigate it. I'm not sure that's the best use of state resources."
The election law committee must present a final bill or bills to the full house by April 7th……
