01.26.09 - Ethics and Lobbying Testimony
Governor Deval L. Patrick
Public Integrity Testimony
State House, Boston, MA
January 26, 2009
On Monday, January 26, 2009, Governor Patrick testified before the Special House Committee on Ethics on behalf of his bill, An Act Improving the Laws Relating to Ethics and Lobbying, which reflects his Public Integrity Task Force's recommendations to strengthen the Commonwealth's ethics and lobbying laws.
Go to www.mass.gov/governor/publicintegrity to learn more.
Governor Deval Patrick:
Chairman Fagan, members of the Committee, thank you very much for -- first of all, good afternoon -- and thank you for convening the hearing and particularly for going ahead as scheduled with all the news in the building today; I know that's on your mind and on others, and I appreciate your going ahead even so. I think you agree, we all do, that the public expects the public's business to continue.
My experience gives me absolutely no reason to doubt that most public officials are honest and fair. But the actions of a few have cast a cloud over all. Recent charges of illegal and unethical conduct by those few have rocked the State House and shaken the public's confidence in their government. We owe the people nothing less than a thorough re-examination of the current rules for ways that they can be clarified and strengthened.
That was my charge to the Public Integrity Task Force, which I convened in November, as the Chairman said. I thank Ben Clements, my Chief Legal Counsel, and all the members of the Task Force, many of whom are here - including you, Mr. Chairman - for your very thoughtful and unanimous recommendations to strengthen the Commonwealth's ethics and lobbying laws.
The bill before you reflects those recommendations. I urge you to act swiftly and favorably, and specifically to move it to the full House for enactment in the next week or two.
Although the framework of existing rules is good overall, the Task Force identified significant gaps and weaknesses in the mechanisms for enforcing the ethics and lobbying laws. The State Ethics Commission has insufficient regulatory and investigatory authority to enforce the ethics laws. The Secretary of State has even less authority to enforce the lobbying laws. The Attorney General has authority to enforce criminal violations of these laws, but is hampered by the lack of several enforcement tools commonly available in a number of other jurisdictions. Accordingly, our legislation significantly strengthens the rulemaking, investigative, and enforcement authority of the Commission, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General. It also increases penalties for ethics and lobbying violations to bring them in line with our times. Finally, it requires mandatory education and training for government employees and lobbyists.
No one can legislate morality - I've heard that from many. But we can assure ourselves and the public that the consequences for breaching the public trust will be serious, swift and certain. I believe this legislation accomplishes that end.
Again, I thank Ben Clements for his leadership and all the members of the Task Force, again thanking you Mr. Chairman, for your important contributions. Your good work helps affirm the principle that the currency of democracy is integrity and participation. I hope we can work together to pass this bill by next week and shift our focus to the many other challenges facing our Commonwealth. Thank you all for your time and consideration.