Word: commissioner
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1970-1979
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Massachusetts politicians have been called many things in the past, but "ethical" is not one of them. From former Gov. Elbridge Gerry, who fathered the gerrymander in 1815, to State Senators Joseph J.C. DiCarlo and Ronald C. MacKenzie, who were recently convicted for extortion, the Commonwealth's officials have been...
"This commission is an excellent first step towards cleaning up the government's reputation," State Rep. John Murphy, an early backer of the new statute, said recently. "But its creation is not going to stop unethical people," he added quickly.
However, despite the hamstringing of the bill prior to passage, commission members insist the financial disclosure requirements are stringent enough to be effective. Officials are still required to list their business dealings in great detail. The form also probes deeply into the question of gifts, while not snooping too far...
"The public is very, very happy that there even is a disclosure form," L. Scott Harshbarger '65, counsel to the commission, said recently. "The form does require a great deal of specificity where there is a potential for conflict of interest," he added.
Chaired by Harvard Law professor James Vorenberg '49, the commission consists of three gubernatorial appointees, one selection of the attorney general and a fifth member chosen by the secretary of state. Currently, one Independent, two Democrats, and two Republicans hold commission seats. Despite its non-partisan composition, however, many state...