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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Babette Josephs |
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Hearing examines bill to prevent state attorney general from potential conflict of interest
HARRISBURG, Dec. 14 -- The House State Government Committee today held a public hearing on a proposal that would require Pennsylvania's state attorney general to wait at least four years after leaving office before seeking election as governor.
The proposal (H.B. 2083), authored by the committee’s chairman, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., would address concerns that an attorney general could use the authority of the office to advance political goals and a gubernatorial campaign while still in office.
Josephs said the hearing helped to identify how other states deal with this potential conflict of interest. In Virginia, although state law does not require it, attorneys general have voluntarily resigned to avoid the appearance of a conflict, a tradition that dates back to the 1980s. Other states have more formal and stringent requirements in law.
Should the Josephs measure be passed, it would add an amendment to the state constitution similar to a prohibition that already prevents the state treasurer from running for state auditor general within four years of leaving office. Josephs said the prohibition exists to keep the auditor general from being placed in the inappropriate position of having to audit treasury accounts and decision from when he or she served as treasurer. The four-year gap eliminates the potential conflict.
"As we move through consideration of my bill, I hope we will receive input from former attorneys general and the current attorney general and others with expertise on the subject," said Josephs. "I’m disappointed that the present attorney general, Tom Corbett, failed to accept my invitation to appear before the committee today. Mr. Corbett, who is a candidate for governor, has come under fire for conflict of interest and some have even suggested that he resign voluntarily. I thought testimony from him would be particularly valuable to the committee."
In order to become part of the constitution, Josephs' bill would have to pass the General Assembly in two successive legislative sessions and be approved by voters in a statewide referendum.
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