Senate proposes ethics rules (you read that right)

Tom Barnes | November 5, 2009

HARRISBURG -- Republican and Democratic leaders of the state Senate today proposed new "Rules of Ethical Conduct'' for state senators.

"Events over the past several years have shown that we need to formalize a clear set of rules so that everyone understands what is permissible and what is not,'' said Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, who developed the proposed rules with Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware, and Senate Democratic leader Bob Mellow of Lackawanna.

The rules say:

--no senate employee may conduct any political campaign activity on senate work time. Allegations that political work was done in 2006 by House employees on state time and at taxpayer expense have led to charges against 12 former House Democratic legislators and staffers in an investigation known as Bonusgate.

--no political campaign activity may be conducted in a senate office or with senate resources.

--there can be no solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions on senate work time or with senate resources.

--no senate employee may be required to perform campaign activites or to make campaign contributions.

--no senate employee may serve as an officer on a campaign committee or a campaign finance committee on behalf of any senator or senate candidate.

--senate mailing lists and email lists may only be used for legislative purposes -- not campaign purposes.

--no senate-funded newsletters may be sent out to constituents within 60 days of an election.

A public hearing will be held to get public opinions on the proposed rules before they are considered by the full Senate.