For Immediate Release:
Feb 4, 2015
Rep. Shamed Dogan Files First Bill to Improve Transparency and Accountability on Local Government Level
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Shamed Dogan filed ethics reform legislation yesterday that would limit gifts and institute new reporting requirements for municipal officials. HB 789, the Local Government Accountability Act, is the first piece of legislation filed by Dogan for the 2015 legislative session.
Dogan said the impetus for the bill came from his experience as a Ballwin Alderman when he learned the city administrator had taken World Series tickets from a trash company that had a no-bid contract up for approval with the city. Dogan was shocked to learn the $250 tickets were not required by law to be disclosed as a gift.
“It’s unacceptable to me, and to most taxpayers, that there is such a lack of transparency and accountability on the local level,” said Dogan, R-Ballwin. “We don’t know if tickets, or other gifts, create undue influence on municipal officials when they decide on items such as city contracts, but we do know there is an appearance of impropriety at the very least. I believe the public has a right to know about these gifts so they can draw their own conclusions.”
Dogan’s bill would impose limits and reporting requirements for gifts to municipal officials of $250 per gift with an annual cap of $2,500. Under current law, municipal officials can take gifts of up to $500 per transaction and $5,000 per year without being reported.
Dogan said, “I was able to pass this commonsense limitation on special interest gifts through the Board of Aldermen. My hope is that I can now implement the kind of change the people want and deserve through this legislation. I also look forward to supporting strong ethics reform bills for state elected officials that will change business as usual in Jefferson City.”
HB 789 now awaits committee assignment for further discussion.
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