Ethics Commission Threatens Funds Suit
The Ethics Commission today threatened to sue the Legislature if it doesn't appropriate more money before it adjourns.
"It's a warning," Commissioner John Raley said. "This is what we intend to do."
Last month, legislative leaders and the governor agreed that the commission would receive about $667,000 - a 30 percent increase - for the 2009 fiscal year that starts July 1.
The commission had requested a third more than that, about $906,000, to be adequately funded.
The increased funding does not provide for any additional workers for the Ethic Commission, which has seven employees. One third of the funding increase, or $50,000, is earmarked by legislators for a computer software program for campaign reporting that the commission does not want.
Commission Chairman Don Bingham said commission members hope legislators will at least provide funding for an investigator, which would give the commission two investigators. Legislators are planning to adjourn Friday.
"We're trying to avoid (filing) litigation," Bingham said.
"It's a warning," Commissioner John Raley said. "This is what we intend to do."
Last month, legislative leaders and the governor agreed that the commission would receive about $667,000 - a 30 percent increase - for the 2009 fiscal year that starts July 1.
The commission had requested a third more than that, about $906,000, to be adequately funded.
The increased funding does not provide for any additional workers for the Ethic Commission, which has seven employees. One third of the funding increase, or $50,000, is earmarked by legislators for a computer software program for campaign reporting that the commission does not want.
Commission Chairman Don Bingham said commission members hope legislators will at least provide funding for an investigator, which would give the commission two investigators. Legislators are planning to adjourn Friday.
"We're trying to avoid (filing) litigation," Bingham said.
Labels: Don Bingham, Ethics Commission, John Raley
posted by Mike McCarville @ 2:26 PM
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