Editor's Note: The following story was edited to correct the source of funds used to reimburse Harrell.
House member Beth Bernstein (D-78) has proposed legislation that has the potential to remake campaign fundraising in South Carolina. The freshman lawmaker's bill would:
1) Prohibits Leadership PACs.
2) Implements a new five-year waiting period for public officials to become lobbyists. (Current law only requires a one-year waiting period)
3) Proposes a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate the House and Senate Ethics Committees, giving the State Ethics Commission full authority.
4) Requires all candidates to produce receipts for all campaign expenditures.
5) Eliminates "blackout period" by requiring candidates to disclose any contribution received in the month of October within five days of receipt.
View the bill HERE.
Bernstein proposal comes on the heels of the continued ethics troubles of House Speaker Bobby Harrell. Earlier this week, Harrell was accused by a non-profit of using his position in the legislature to help his private business. In September, it was reported that Harrell had reimbursed himself more than $300,000 in travel expenses.
Ethics was a major theme of Bernstein's election campaign. She was able to defeat longtime incumbent Joan Brady in part, by highlighting Brady's links to Harrell while she served on the House Ethics Committee.
Bernstein's bill would ban PACs such as the Harrell-affiliate Palmetto Leadership Council which has given millions of dollars to South Carolina politicians over its lifespan.
Bernstein issued the following statement in response to filing the legislation:
"During my campaign, I promised voters that, if elected, I would do my best to clean up the culture of corruption at the State House and provide real solutions to bring more accountability to the General Assembly. I'm happy to say that by filing this important piece of legislation, I'm keeping my promise to voters. The hard truth is that people no longer trust public officials. I was elected to restore the trust and confidence in our elected officials. This bill makes state government and its elected leaders more accountable and transparent, while also making it harder for public officials to use their office for private gain. Simply put, it's time to stop talking about ethics reform and start doing it."
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