JEFFERSON CITY — Senator Rob Schaaf (R-St. Joseph) introduced the Missouri Anti-Corruption Act (SJR 13) Tuesday — a proposal to address institutional corruption in Missouri government by overhauling state ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance laws.

 

In summary, the Missouri Anti-Corruption Act would:

 

• Prohibit politicians from accepting gifts and job offers from lobbyists.
• Close loopholes to ensure that all people who lobby register as lobbyists.
• Prohibit political contributions by unions and corporations, and restrict contributions by lobbyists.
• Limit the size of all political contributions.
• Strengthen the Missouri Ethics Commission.
• Require full disclosure of all money spent on Missouri politics.
• Prohibit secret coordination between candidates and political action committees (PACs).
• Empower everyday Missourians and reduce the influence of special interests by establishing a rebate program designed to encourage small contributions.

 

If passed by the state Legislature, the Missouri Anti-Corruption Act will be referred to the 2016 ballot for a public vote. If approved, it will be adopted as an amendment to the Missouri Constitution.

“In our state government, it is too often deep-pocketed special interests who set the agenda.  The Missouri Anti-Corruption Act will help to ensure that Missouri’s government is truly of, by, and for the people,” Schaaf said. “When elected officials depend on a small set of special interests to provide campaign funds – not to mention meals and other gifts – they listen too keenly to what those special interests want.  Instead of listening to patients, they listen to healthcare industry executives.  Instead of listening to small business owners here in Missouri, they listen to big corporations owned by people in other states and other countries.”