The proposal discussed Thursday also has a "revolving door" provision to make legislators and high-ranking state officials wait a year to register as lobbyists.
The House had added that requirement after Larry Puccio, former chief of staff to Gov. Joe Manchin, became a lobbyist for gambling, health care, and coal companies a week after he left his public post.
Other officials also have left state government for lobbying jobs over the past year. Former state tax commissioner Christopher Morris became West Virginia American Water Co.'s top lobbyist; and former Manchin aide Scott Cosco left to direct government and regulatory affairs for Frontier Communications in West Virginia.
Also Thursday:
| Commissioners approved an opinion saying Educational Broadcasting Authority employees should not solicit funds for the Friends of Public Broadcasting or the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, two private non-profit organizations that raise money for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
EBA employees often participate in pledge drives. The opinion, which takes effect next July, says the employees can solicit funds for the EBA itself, but not the two private organizations.
The EBA had requested the opinion after a report by the state Legislative Auditor questioned the use of public resources for the two private organizations. The auditor's report also said the set-up has led to the circumvention of state purchasing and travel regulations, and to a lack of transparency.
The opinion encourages EBA officials to ask legislators for changes if they want employees to continue raising funds for the two non-profit organizations.
| Commission Chairman Kemp Morton announced that Commissioner Larry Rowe submitted his resignation this week.
After the meeting, Rowe told the Gazette he resigned because he hopes to be appointed to the West Virginia State University board. Ethics Commission members are not allowed to serve on any other public board.
Rowe, a former state senator, had served on the Ethics Commission for five years.
| Commissioners signed off on employment exemptions for four state officials: Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy, schools Superintendent Steve Paine, and two people in the Office of Miners' Health and Safety - former director Ron Wooten and administrator Terry Farley. The exemptions allow public officials to seek work in regulated private industries. Wooten resigned from his job Wednesday.
Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- State ethics commissioners say they will again push lawmakers to toughen financial disclosure rules for public officials.
At a meeting Thursday, though, some members of the Ethics Commission said they think the proposed requirements go too far.
Officials would have to reveal more details about their financial holdings and employment. They also would have to disclose that information about their spouses, and name their dependents
The commission had drawn up a similar plan last year after the Center for Public Integrity, a national watchdog organization, gave West Virginia an "F" for its disclosure laws.
In January, the House of Delegates unanimously passed a bill to beef up ethics laws, but the Senate Finance Committee later killed it
Ethics Commission Executive Director Theresa Kirk said she is hopeful the bill will pass next year.
"We definitely had momentum last year, and I believe that should carry on in to the next session," Kirk said after the meeting.
But some commissioners say the rules would violate people's privacy.
Commissioner Jack Buckalew said he didn't want to make public officials disclose so much information about their spouses. He thinks it could discourage people from serving on state boards and commissions.
Another commissioner, Father Douglas Sutton, agreed. He said he is worried especially about proposed rules to post financial disclosure forms online.
"I think that people should have a right to their privacy," he said. "I have real qualms about this."
Commissioner Jonathan Turak, though, said the spousal requirements would prevent officials from putting property in their spouses' names to circumvent disclosure laws.
The rules would apply to all elected officials and candidates for public office; members of state boards and commissions; and top administrators in state agencies.
The proposal discussed Thursday also has a "revolving door" provision to make legislators and high-ranking state officials wait a year to register as lobbyists.
The House had added that requirement after Larry Puccio, former chief of staff to Gov. Joe Manchin, became a lobbyist for gambling, health care, and coal companies a week after he left his public post.
Other officials also have left state government for lobbying jobs over the past year. Former state tax commissioner Christopher Morris became West Virginia American Water Co.'s top lobbyist; and former Manchin aide Scott Cosco left to direct government and regulatory affairs for Frontier Communications in West Virginia.
Also Thursday:
| Commissioners approved an opinion saying Educational Broadcasting Authority employees should not solicit funds for the Friends of Public Broadcasting or the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, two private non-profit organizations that raise money for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
EBA employees often participate in pledge drives. The opinion, which takes effect next July, says the employees can solicit funds for the EBA itself, but not the two private organizations.
The EBA had requested the opinion after a report by the state Legislative Auditor questioned the use of public resources for the two private organizations. The auditor's report also said the set-up has led to the circumvention of state purchasing and travel regulations, and to a lack of transparency.
The opinion encourages EBA officials to ask legislators for changes if they want employees to continue raising funds for the two non-profit organizations.
| Commission Chairman Kemp Morton announced that Commissioner Larry Rowe submitted his resignation this week.
After the meeting, Rowe told the Gazette he resigned because he hopes to be appointed to the West Virginia State University board. Ethics Commission members are not allowed to serve on any other public board.
Rowe, a former state senator, had served on the Ethics Commission for five years.
| Commissioners signed off on employment exemptions for four state officials: Health and Human Resources Secretary Patsy Hardy, schools Superintendent Steve Paine, and two people in the Office of Miners' Health and Safety - former director Ron Wooten and administrator Terry Farley. The exemptions allow public officials to seek work in regulated private industries. Wooten resigned from his job Wednesday.
Reach Alison Knezevich at alis...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1240.
Get Connected