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Ethics
panel proposing
tougher laws

One measure would prohibit
campaigning on state time

By Ian Lind
Star-Bulletin

The state Ethics Commission is proposing to end the long-standing practice of allowing candidates for governor to solicit the backing of state employees during visits to government offices.

The proposal is part of package of commission-drafted bills that would prohibit the use of state time, equipment or facilities for campaign purposes and tighten conflict-of-interest provisions.

"Our law does not currently mention the word 'campaign,' " although other ethics guidelines have been used to restrict on-the-job political activity by public employees, said Dan Mollway, commission executive director.

A 1986 commission policy allowed candidates to make campaign visits to offices as long as all candidates were given equal access. At the time, the commission viewed this as a way to give state employees the same opportunities as private sector workers to meet the candidates, Mollway said.

"However, given the experience over the last 14 years, we just don't think that it is fair. In practice, I don't think it can be fair," Mollway said. "Now we're trying to stop all campaigning in state agencies."

Other commission-backed bills would:

Stop public employee unions from using informational meetings during working hours for partisan political purposes. Union members are allowed to attend four two-hour meetings each year during working hours for educational or informational purposes, but during recent elections these have been criticized as blatantly partisan gatherings.

"I believe the legislative intent was to enhance the job skills of employees and for no other purpose," Mollway said. "I don't think by any stretch of the imagination that partisan politics was the original intent."

Prohibit the use of Washington Place, the governor's residence, for events "intended to solicit funds, support, or votes for any candidate for elective public office."

Mollway said the bill wouldn't prohibit the governor from making campaign- related telephone calls or meeting with campaign officials.

Prohibit state employees from taking official action on a business in which a brother, sister, parent, emancipated child, or household member has a significant financial interest. Current conflict-of-interest laws only apply to decisions involving the business interests of an employee's spouse or dependent child.

Require public financial disclosures by members of boards which control four state agencies: the University of Hawaii regents, and land, agriculture, and Hawaiian Homes boards.

The commission also has drafted a resolution calling on the Legislature to study additional measures "to address the conflicts of interest of its members."

Mollway said he had discussed the package of bills with a few legislators, but has not lobbied for their adoption.

"Generally, our policy is not to contact anybody (at the Legislature)," Mollway said.

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State Ethics Commission