Wells Introduces Another Ethics Reform Package; Also Looks to Repeal Online Gambling
September 20, 2011
Tommy Wells Introduces Another Ethics Reform Package
Also Introduces Legislation to Repeal Online Gambling Amendment
On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced another ethics reform bill, this time targeting the perception of undue influence on the Council. The "Prohibition on Corporate and Lobbyist Giving to Public Officials Reform Amendment Act of 2011" creates specific reforms to greatly curtail and limit the financial contributions and favors lobbyists can give to elected officials and their staffs.
"These are straightforward and simple steps that we can take to ensure that we remove the perception of any undue influence on decision making and help rebuild the public trust with which we've all been granted," noted Wells.
Specifically, the legislation:
- prohibits DC lobbyists from contributing to political campaigns and constituent services funds
- prohibits Councilmember and their staffs from receiving free or discounted legal representation from registered DC lobbyists
- prohibits corporations with contracts and pending contracts before Council from contributing to constituent services funds, and
- significantly cuts the amount elected officials can raise for constituent services funds
For a copy of the ethics and lobbyist prohibition legislation, click here: Wells, Ethics and Lobbyist Reform.pdf
Earlier this summer, Councilmember Wells introduced his first round of ethics reforms, including among others, prohibiting procurement of luxury-class vehicles, ending the practice of corporate campaign bundling, and creating transition and inaugural committees that fall under campaign finance regulations and require full disclosure. For a copy of that legislation, click here: Wells, Campaign Finance Reform.pdf
Also on Tuesday, Councilmember Wells introduced the "Lottery Amendment Repeal Act of 2011". Last December, the Council passed a Budget Support Act with an amendment to allow, for the first time, online gambling through the lottery. That measure didn't benefit from a public hearing and vetting before being considered. Wells proposal would restore the lottery law as it was before the December amendment - in effect repealing the provision. Councilmember Phil Mendelson joined Wells in co-introducing this measure.
Wells stated, "This legislation will provide the public conversation that we didn't have last year and give the city a chance to weigh the pros and cons in full daylight, before making a decision about whether or not this makes sense for the residents of the District of Columbia."
For a copy of the online gambling repeal legislation, click here: Wells, Online Gambling Repeal.pdf.
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