Issue Position: Renewing Ethics in Government

Issue Position

Recent scandals have revealed to us all how some of our lawmakers, who are supposed to be representing our interests in Jefferson City, actually seem to be viewing their time in office as an opportunity to party it up and cut corrupt deals while still on the public's payroll. After my first year as Speaker of the House, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a paper that is no friend of mine, said that under my leadership "prayer had replaced partying" in the Capitol. As a former federal prosecutor who actually prosecuted public corruption cases, I am ready to take on the culture in Jefferson City once again.

Action Plan:
*End the revolving door from public to private sectors, by prohibiting former legislators from being lobbyists for at least four years after they leave office;

*Ban all lobbyist gifts, period;

*Require truth in campaign finance by requiring candidates and officeholders to use the money raised running for the declared office and to close their fundraising committees within a year of their last election or day in office, so that donated money is only used for the purpose donors intended;

*Allow the Missouri Ethics Commission to initiate investigations without having to wait to receive an independent complaint;

*Forfeit the pension and fundraising committee funds of any public official convicted of a felony arising out of his election campaign or his public office;

*Prohibit the use of fundraising committee funds for legal defense when the charges do not relate to election law violations;

*Extend the Sunshine Law to cover meetings with public-sector unions and prevent circumvention of the public meeting requirement of the Sunshine Law through the use of email, telephone calls or other electronic means.

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