Senator Leftwich Files Ethics Bills on Elected Officials Becoming Lobbyists and Banning Capitol Contributions

State Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, has filed a bill that would prohibit any former lawmaker or other elected official from becoming a lobbyist for two years after leaving office. A second bill would prohibit any elected official from accepting contributions within the State Capitol.

“The reason for both of these bills is simple—to improve public confidence in the Legislature,” Leftwich said.

Senate Bill 258 would prohibit any member of the Legislature or elected state officer from receiving any compensation or reimbursement for personally engaging in lobbying for a period of two years after their term has expired. If passed and signed into law, SB 258 would become effective January 1, 2006.
“Under current law, an elected official can’t leave office and work for the state or do a job that is funded with state dollars for two years. I think we should extend that to include a two-year moratorium on elected officials leaving office to become lobbyists,” Leftwich said.

“I think it just looks bad to the public when someone leaves in November and is back out here within a few months lobbying the old members they served with as well as the new ones—I think it feeds the perception that elected officials are just out here taking care of themselves.”

Senate Bill 257 would forbid elected officials from accepting a contribution from anyone in the State Capitol building. It also states that if a contribution is received, it must immediately be returned to the contributor without being accepted. If passed into law, it would take effect on November 1, 2005.
Sen. Leftwich’s bills will be considered after the 2005 session gets underway on February 7.

“We’re all here to serve the public—they’re the ones who sent us here to represent them. I believe we have a responsibility to assure them that their elected officials are worthy of this trust. That’s what my legislation is about,” Leftwich said.