Governor Signs Bill by Senator Mary Hodge to Fight Government Corruption

Thursday, April 12 2012

Representative Cherylin Peniston (left) and Senator Mary Hodge (left) look on as Governor Hickenlooper signs Senate Bill 146 into law today

DENVER ─ Today, Governor John Hickenlooper signed  Senate Bill 146 sponsored by, Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton), into law.  This bill will work to fight corruption at all levels of Colorado government.  Senate Bill 146 creates stricter ethical standards for public and local government officials. Senator Hodge is sponsoring the anti-corruption bill in response to input she received from Adams County residents who expressed concerns about possible corruption at the state and local level.

Senator Hodge offered the following comment on the signing of Senate Bill 146 today:

“Citizens in my community want government to be operating ethically and responsibly.  This legislation works to strengthen standards to ensure officials at all levels are following the same rules and that they are operating openly and honestly. I’m glad we were all able to work together to make this bill a law.”

Senate Bill 146 amends the statutory rules of conduct for public officers, local government officials and employees. The bill discourages them from obtaining employment or gifts of value for immediate family members, and also prohibits them from receiving gifts of value for personal benefit. The legislation says the following:

“A local government official or local government employee shall not: accept goods or services for his or her own personal benefit offered by a person who is at the same time providing goods or services to the local government for which the official or employee serves, under a contract or other means by which the person receives payment or other compensation from the local government…”