Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, I plan to reintroduce HB 845 from last session.  House Bill 845 will implement ethics and election law standards for appointing authorities and individuals serving on public pension boards in the Commonwealth. With our public pension systems struggling we need to make certain that the systems are being run in the best interest of the Commonwealth and to the benefit of the hardworking employees that have consistently made contributions to the pension systems. It’s time that we create serious criminal consequences for individuals who breach the public trust and this bill will do just that.

This Code of Conduct will amend the Pennsylvania Public Officials and Employee Ethics Act to eliminate conflicts of interest, eliminate the revolving door between service on a public pension board and private sector firms doing business with the pension system, and bans all gifts, lodging or hospitality or any other value to these individuals. Moreover, my Code of Conduct will amend the election code to eliminate all political contributions, direct or indirect, to an appointing authority or individuals serving on public pension boards.

These concepts are not novel, similar restrictions already apply to the banking industry and the gaming board and gaming entities. It is time we statutorily implement these common sense protections in the management of our public pension systems in order to eliminate any appearance of impropriety and to begin rebuilding the public’s trust in our public pension systems.

Please join me and cosponsor this important legislation.