Pennsylvania Governor Wolf Urges Independent State Agencies to Ban Gifts

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In letters to be sent today to board members and leadership of more than two dozen state commissions, authorities and other agencies, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf will urge each of the independent organizations to enact a total ban on gifts for their employees to in-line with the Governor's executive order signed on his first day in office.

"As elected and appointed leaders, all of us have a duty to be responsible stewards of the democratic process and taxpayer's hard-earned money," Governor Wolf said. "Too often our leaders take advantage of the public, but I am committed to making government work so we can restore the public's trust and make sure we are being open and transparent. Each of these agencies should join me in enacting sweeping reform to end a practice that has plagued the public's trust in state government for too long."

Last week, both the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board revised their existing policies to conform to the Governor's executive order banning gifts. Governor Wolf commended both of these organizations and their leadership for each taking a strong step toward increasing the public's faith in their organizations and state government.

In addition to signing an executive order banning gifts, Governor Wolf required members of his staff and cabinet to undergo ethics and open records training on his first full day in office.

Complete text of the letter:

As elected and appointed leaders, we have a duty to be responsible stewards of the democratic process and taxpayer's hard-earned money. Too often our leaders take advantage of the public, but I am committed to making government work so we can restore the public's trust and make sure we are being open and transparent. That is why moments after I was sworn in, I signed an executive order banning gifts for all employees of the executive branch, and also why I required members of my staff and cabinet to undergo ethics and open records training on my first full day in office.

Last week, both the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board revised their existing policies to conform to my executive order banning gifts. I commend both of these organizations and their leadership for each taking a strong step toward increasing the public's faith in their organizations and state government.

I urge each and every Commonwealth commission, board, authority, agency and council to follow our lead and revise your policies in line with the attached executive order.

Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Governor Tom Wolf

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Sheridan, [email protected], 717-772-3880

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Related Links

http://www.governor.state.pa.us