By Patrick Donges
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-975699.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – Democratic state Representative John Binenda of Worcester issued an apology Thursday afternoon after comparing one of the provisions in the House GOP's soon to be released ethics rules reform package to tactics employed by Nazis in concentration camps.
The remarks were published in a State House News story Thursday morning in reference to one of the proposed rules changes, that lobbyists be required to wear badges identifying themselves as paid advocates. Binenda called the proposal "revolting," before comparing it to the tattooing of concentration camp prisoners.
The faux-pas was only the first hint at what is expected to be a politically charged debate. The package will reportedly include rules forbidding legislators and staff from contacting public entities regarding pending procurements before an award is made, a zero tolerance sexual harassment policy, and the creation of a "snitch rule" that would require legislators and staff to report unethical or criminal conduct committed by their colleagues.
Republican Representative Dan Winslow of Norfolk is co-sponsoring of the bill.
"The House Ethical Code of Conduct has not been comprehensively reformed in over a quarter of a century. In the wake of three speakers in a row being convicted of felonies, there is a need to have the House change conducting business as usual to address concerns about public trust and confidence in state government."
Wilson cited the convictions earlier this month of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and associate and former lobbyist Richard McDonough for their receiving kickbacks from a software company seeking contracts with the state as a rallying point for legislators to get behind the ethics reforms.
"We've just had a momentous historical feat, not historical in any good sense of the word by the way, and we cannot stand idly by and shrug our shoulders and attribute it to the act of a single person. People are sick of it. We've got to stand up and do something about it."
"This proposal simply takes the best practices of other states' legislative codes of conduct and compiles them in a single place here in Massachusetts."
Winslow said he has talked with current House Speaker Robert DeLeo about the reforms, and already has the support of two Democratic members, Rep. John Rogers of Norwood and Rep. Colleen Garry of Dracut.
While none of the four state representatives from the Berkshires have yet issued statements of support on the bill, at least one, Rep. Paul Mark of the county's second district, is weighing the provisions.
"The zero tolerance sexual harassment, I like that one. The lobbyists wearing badges around the House seems a little artificial to me. You can tell just by talking to someone for five minutes in your office whether they're just a person from the district or they're somebody there professionally on behalf of an organization. So that seems a little unnecessary to me."
Mark said the timing of this proposal seems to indicate a political bent.
"I think its more politics. We had a house rules debate at the beginning of January, and any one of these rules could've been proposed then. Why weren't they?"
Elected last year, Mark said that his time at the statehouse thus far has not been indicative of a culture of corruption among state legislators.
"I don't see this clouded back room of smoke anywhere; I see a lot of hardworking people that come from all over the state that are just trying to do the right thing. Especially in the freshman class, that's all I've seen is people that are just really excited to be there and learning the ropes."
Mark said he would wait to see the final bill before making an endorsement, but did have a suggestion for an added provision.
"I'd like to see one that says if you're a member of the House of Representatives you shouldn't be able to work as general counsel for a lobbyist group."
He is referring to redistricting group FairDistrictsMass.org, who list Daniel P. Winslow, sans his title as a state Representative, as their general counsel.
The ethics reform package is expected to be introduced during next week in formal session.