After seven years of fighting for government ethics legislation, Senator John Marty successfully passed an ethics bill through the Senate on a unanimous vote. The House concurred on a vote of 117-13. This bill bans gifts and meals given by lobbyists to elected officials. Not surprisingly, there is some grumbling about the effects of the new law - last year, lobbyists spent over $1,000,000 on meals, gifts, lodging, and entertainment for elected officials. This legislation comes at an important time when Minnesotans, distrust in government is at an all-time high. The DFL legislature can be proud of this dramatic step toward restoring that trust. It will change how things are done at the capitol, by opening the process up and making it more responsive to people who don't necessarily have the most money.
Prepared by Minnesotans for Marty, 2161 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55114 Telephone/Fax: (612)644-5775/644-4131