House Republicans use majority to push through ethics bill
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House Republicans use majority to push through ethics bill

Date: May 6, 2010
By: Alex Klingelhoeffer
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 844 ad the roll call vote.

Intro:  House Republicans pushed through an omnibus special intrest bill Thursday without allowing Democrats to speak on the measure.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House Speaker Ron Richard made no apologies for refusing to recognize legislators from the other side of the aisle.

Actuality:  IRULEMAJ.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "I called upon my members to ask questions, to get input. I heard all I needed to hear. Actually, I heard more than I wanted to hear. This is a process and I'm in the majority and I rule the majority, thank you."

The bill includes a host of changes including campaign contribution limits for statewide office candidates and limits to gifts from lobbyists.

The bill does not impose campaign contribution limits for legislative canidates.

One House Democrat called the bill a mockery of the ethics reform that the House has been working on for months.

From the state Capitol, I'm Alex Klingelhoeffer.

 

Intro:  Bipartisan ethics reform have turned into a charade and a sham accorrding to one House Democrat.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: House Minority Leader Paul LeVota slammed the bill, which includes a host of rules changes including campaign contribution limits for statewide office canidates.

Actuality:  LEVOTA5.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: "It is an omnibus sham bill. I mean, there's so many things in here that have so little to do with ethics reform, I don't know where you start with it."

The bill does not impose campaign contribution limits for legislative candidates.

The House voted down party lines to suspend chamber rules so the bill could be passed. 

House Republican leaders said they intended for the contribution limits to cover legislative candidates and the language would be cleaned up if the bill goes to a conference with the Senate.

From the state Capitol, I'm Alex Klingelhoeffer.