By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House has passed a scaled-back ethics bill that now goes to Governor Nixon.
It allows the Ethics Commission to launch investigations, restricts committee-to-committee money transfers, and requires quick reporting of donations $500 and larger made during legislative sessions.
During House floor debate, Minority Leader Paul LeVota (D, Independence) said the bill moves ethics reform in the right direction, even though it doesn't include campaign contribution limits.
"What would be the worst-case scenario of this bill would be anybody in an election year patting themselves on the back and saying, 'Ethics reform is done in Jefferson City,' because it is not," LeVota said.
Negotiators removed several unrelated items from the bill, including voter identification requirements and letting the Lt. Governor file lawsuits on behalf of the state.