Council President's Bill Would Strenghen Ethics Rules
The bill would prevent council members from taking gifts from anyone looking to do business with the city.
Photos
(UPDATE 3:07 p.m.)—Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is submitting legislation to strengthen the prohibition on City Council members accepting or soliciting gifts.
The legislation is being introduced to the council on Monday, and would prevent council members from receiving gifts from anyone seeking to do business with the city. Currently council members are only prohibited from taking gifts from people who want to do business with the City Council itself, according to a news release from Young’s office.
"My colleagues on the City Council and I are serious about upholding the trust of the citizens we are elected to serve," Young said in the release. "This piece of legislation shows a continued willingness on the part of this Council to hold itself to only the highest of ethical standards."
Council members are allowed two exceptions: one is that they may accept food or beverage consumed in the presence of the person seeking to or doing business with the city, and the second allows a council person to take a gift valued at $20 or less, but can only receive $100 worth of those gifts in one reporting cycle.
The legislation is being introduced at the behest of the Baltimore City Board of Ethics.
RARE MARYLAND INDEPENDENT
11:23 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Maybe if all of the council members returned the gift cards given to them, they would have enough money to sponsor a car at the Gran Prix. Would love to see the Mayor driving. Jack Young could be the crew chief.
Sean Tully
11:45 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
This isn't a bad idea of Young's. But, again, I just wish they would put half the effort they do on things like speed races, keeping council members honest, etc., into fighting crime, grime, and high property taxes. Imagine what they could get done.
John
11:51 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
If this bill passes, they'll just find other creative ways to receive money and gifts from these people wanting to do business with the city. The only way this stuff will stop is if citizens of Balto. City vote these people out. But they won't! WOW!
IamGayle
9:15 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
This citizens of Baltimore who do try and vote these folks out are out numbered by the folks (developers and such) who provide the gifts (votes) for those the candidates who will sway things in their favor. We're outnumbered.
The execption of food and beverage being consumed.... Well I know this makes one councilmember QUITE pleased!