Reynolds Urges Henry To Veto Ethics Bill

Rep. Mike Reynolds today urged Governor Henry to veto a bill funding the Ethics Commission and force the Legislature to rewrite the agency's budget.

In a letter sent to the governor, Reynolds noted the Ethics Commission is a Constitutional body that the people have said "must be sufficiently funded" and urged Henry to veto House Bill 2286.

"With two days left in the legislative session and several million dollars still available, this will allow for a bill with sufficient funding to be enacted," Reynolds said.

If Henry does not want to veto the entire bill, Reynolds said, he could also use the line-item veto to oppose a section requiring the commission to spend $50,000 on a new software system that would be used to record campaign donations.

Reynolds noted that the Ethics Commission "has clearly indicated it is not compliant with their rules -- they do not want it and will not use it. Additionally the estimate for the cost of this software has been shown to be in excess of $750,000."

Reynolds noted that Henry had vetoed similar legislation in 2004.

This year's state budget provides about $667,000 to the Ethics Commission, an increase of about $140,000 less than the absolute minimum commission officials have repeatedly said they need to do their jobs.

The commission yesterday threatened to sue the Legislature if additional money is not provided.

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