JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov.-elect Eric Greitens is serious about ethics reform in Jefferson City, and his plans show it.
It’s been one of the top priorities for the incoming Republican, whose message on the campaign trail centered on cleaning up corruption at the capitol.
Voters took the first steps this past November, not only by choosing Greitens and a string of Republicans to take over but by passing a constitutional amendment for campaign finance limits.
In a conference call with reporters on Thursday morning, Greitens’ senior adviser, Austin Chambers, spoke about the Gov.-elect’s priorities, one of which was ethics reform.
“It starts with three important things, and we talked about this during the campaign, and we’ve talked about this with the legislature and the governor-elect is serious about getting it done,” Chambers said.
The three things Chambers spoke about were lobbyist gift bans, term limits, and cooling periods for lawmakers looking to become lobbyists.
Chambers said they are going to push for a complete lobbyist gift ban, which comes as no surprise; it’s one of the top priorities for House Speaker Todd Richardson, and one that Greitens has given his blessing to.
They also intend to send term limits for all statewide officeholders to the ballot, letting the people decide what to do with the issue.
“It’s something that we’re also going to work closely with the legislature this year to get done,” Chambers said. “The people want it to happen, and we look forward to sending it to the ballot for them to vote on.”
But where the proposals for waiting periods in previous years have been measured, Greitens and his team look to come down hard.
“It starts with a one-for-one revolving door ban, and what that means is if you’ve served in the legislature or executive branch for one year, you’re going to wait one year before becoming a lobbyist,” he said. “If you’ve done two years, you’re going to wait two years. If you’ve done 16 years, you’re going to wait 16 years. “
Recent proposals have suggested six-month or one- to two- year cooling off periods before lawmakers can become lobbyists, and the legislature passed a six-month ban last year.
Many argue that’s not enough, while others say it’s unconstitutional.
Supporters of a revolving door ban say it helps to cut down on corruption and conflicts of interest.
And the good news for Greitens is this: the bills addressing the highlighted priorities have already been filed for the upcoming legislative session. The icing on top? A couple of bills have been filed by members of the opposing party.
House Minority Whip Kip Kendrick, D-Columbia, tweeted this week, saying, “Good news, Gov.-elect. The bills have been filed. Please see HBs 212-217 & HJR 6-7. We look forward to working with you.”
Good news Gov-elect. The bills have been filed. Please see HBs 212-217 & HJR 6-7. We look forward to working with you. https://t.co/S0uLa348fy
— Kip Kendrick (@Kip_Kendrick) December 29, 2016
House Bill 212, filed by Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, would prohibit elected officials from accepting lobbyist gifts and also prohibits lobbyists from giving gifts to lawmakers.
Kendrick also filed an ethics reform bill, HB 217, as well as House Joint Resolution 7, which proposes a constitutional amendment changing the term limits for statewide elected officials.
HB 217 would change the six-month cooling off period to five years. HJR 7 would impose the same two-term limit as the governor on every statewide official.
Gov.-elect Greitens promised these types of reforms in his campaign and will be looking to see them through. Chambers said the incoming governor is “serious about getting that done, and he’s worked with the legislature to make it happen.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
