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INDIANAPOLIS – House Speaker Pat Bauer, D-South Bend, on Tuesday announced a package of ethics changes that he will sponsor in the 2010 legislative session, including a cooling-off period for lawmakers before they become lobbyists and a contribution ban for state contractors.
"I think you just have to have a cleaner playing field in both perception and reality," he said.
His proposals include:
- Requiring lobbyists to report any gift of more than $50 to a legislator, legislative candidate or legislative employee – down from the current $100.
- Making legislators wait one year after they leave the General Assembly before they can lobby.
- Prohibiting the governor or any candidates for that office from fundraising during the long, budget session of the legislature. This rule already applies to the General Assembly.
- Making individuals appointed to a position in the executive branch by the governor wait one year after they leave before they can lobby.
- Prohibiting people and businesses who have contracts with state government or who bid on contracts from making political contributions to individuals who hold state office or run for state office.
