City Council President Brandon Scott introduced a proposed ordinance in an attempt to close a loophole regarding gifts to elected officials from lobbyists and persons doing business with the city.

Council Bill 20-0483 will prohibit elected officials and their staff from accepting gifts from not only anyone they know to be a lobbyist, but also anyone they reasonably should know to be a lobbyist.

Like current gift restrictions, this prohibition will also extend to those doing business with the city, engaging in regulated activity, or having a financial interest in the performance of an elected official’s duties.

Democracy Watch, a political accountability group, has filed an ethics complaint with Federal Commissioner of Lobbying Karen Shepherd questioning the permissibility of gifts of paid travel from various lobbying groups to senators and members of Parliament.

The group claims such gifts violate a rule prohibiting lobbyists from creating the appearance of a conflict of interest for public officials.

The complaint also requests an official other than Shepherd decide the issue because she has expressed interest in members of Parliament reappointing her to the position when her term ends in July.

From the States and Municipalities:

Colorado – In Colorado, Gun Control Votes Followed by Increasingly Popular Political Tool: The recall

Connecticut – Despite Corruption, Campaign Reform in Jeopardy

Maine – Maine Subpoenas Upheld for Anti-Gay Marriage Group

Maryland – Baltimore Mayor Officiates at Lobbyist Wedding in Vegas

Massachusetts – Former Cahill Aide, Goldman Banker Fined $100,000

Missouri – KC Council Approves New Ethics Code

Nevada – Campaign Transparency Bill Passes, Albeit a Watered-Down Version

New Jersey – State Campaign Finance Agency Lifts Political Contribution Caps for Independent Groups

North Carolina – Questions Raised over Campaign Checks at Center of Sweepstakes Probe

Texas – Perry Vetoes Dark Money Disclosure Bill Backed by GOP Legislature

Texas – Texas Passes Ethics Bill, But Many Proposed Reforms Are Left on the Cutting Room Floor

Utah – Utah Majority Leader and Lobbyists Vacation Together Abroad

Vermont – Shumlin: Deal was meant to help

Washington – Olympia Lobbyists Pamper Lawmakers with Free Meals

Washington – State Lawmakers Vote ‘No’ on Flaws, ‘Yes’ to Photo Retouching

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