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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 8, 2016 10:51 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Gift Ban |
| The acceptance of gifts by public officials and employees is often viewed as unethical by the public. Worse yet, it creates the appearance of a conflict of interest and causes the public to lose confidence in their elected officials and employees. We must restore and maintain that confidence, and reassure the public that government in Pennsylvania will be responsible to all its citizens, not just to the special interests or those who can afford to provide gifts, entertainment and perks. That's why I am introducing legislation that would ban gifts to elected officials and public employees in excess of $25 in a calendar year. The legislation would include exceptions for gifts from relatives, personal friends, plaques or other commemorative items, donations from Pennsylvania companies or businesses used for promotional or information purposes (such as at a senior fair), or other items awarded as part of a contest or event open to the public. The governor's gift ban for executive office and agency officials and employees shows that such a ban can work while reducing concerns by the public that gifts may be used by special interests and others as instruments of persuasion and undue influence. The growing influence of money in Pennsylvania elections -- particularly that of special interests -- has made the wealthiest voices the loudest and the ones with the most influence and access to government officials in Harrisburg. The extent to which these powerful and influential special interests have become entrenched in Pennsylvania politics is one of the primary reasons for the inability to reach a solution to our historic structural budget deficit. We need to reduce the influence of special interests and once again make our government responsive to the needs of ordinary Pennsylvanians. I am introducing my gift ban legislation as part of a larger package of reform bills being advanced by House Democrats, which will improve transparency in our state and limit the influence that wealthy individuals, corporations and other special interests have in our politics. They are an overdue, key component of returning control of politics and state government to the people of Pennsylvania. |
Introduced as HB1983