Press Room

Bill by Senator Mary Hodge Takes on Government Corruption

Wednesday, February 8 2012

Adams County concerns lead to legislation to raise ethics standards for public officials

DENVER ─ Today, the Senate State Affairs Committee approved Senate Bill 146 sponsored by Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton) 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 passage of Senate Bill 146 today:

“Many folks in Adams County have asked me if there was anything I could do to help stop political corruption. It’s imperative that our government officials are held to the highest standards of accountability and responsibility.  The goal of this legislation is to have public officials at all levels operating openly, ethically and honestly.”

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…” Click Here to read a full copy of the bill.

Following its passage in committee today, Senate Bill 146 now moves to the Senate floor for consideration.