Freshman Rep. Mike Clelland Files Two Bills to Hold Elected Officials to Higher Ethical Standards

Freshman state Rep. Mike Clelland, D-Lake Mary, has filed two bills, aimed atproviding stronger public protections against corruption and legislative profiteering:

HB 381 wouldallow for more public involvement in filing valid complaints and expands the scope of the Commission on Ethics, while also protecting the privacy of those who the Commission finds are innocent of wrongdoing.

HB 379 would increase the transparency of financial transactions made by lawmakers to ensure that the public is aware of certain business dealings.The bill does not prohibit legal and lawful business actions.

There are clear gaps in our states ethics laws, and I believe the bills that I have filed are practical steps to close those gaps, Rep. Clelland said in a press release. As residents told me on the campaign trail, our state hasnt been doing enough to protect the publics interest in the political process.It is my hope that by increasing transparency and accountability, we can begin the process of restoring the publics faith and trust in their elected representatives."

Clelland has made ethics and elections reform a priority of his legislative agenda. Sunshine State News interviewed Rep. Clelland back in December; check out our exclusive profile: "Mike Clelland: Democratic Upsetter, 'Conservative Kind of Guy' with an Eye on Election Reform"