Missouri House Advances Ethics Reform Legislation

Four ethics reform proposals have advanced in the Missouri House, but Democratic members say they weren’t allowed to take part in the debate. The ethics legislation will go to the Senate next. The bills change when financial disclosures and trips funded by lobbyists must be reported, would keep lawmakers from working as lobbyists for one year after their terms expire, and would bar elected officials from becoming paid political consultants. Democrats say the bills don’t go far enough, but they were blocked from offering changes. The law would affect on officials elected or appointed after January 1st, 2016.