JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says changing ethics laws is a priority during his final legislative session as the state’s top executive.
During a Tuesday press conference on the eve of the 2016 session, Nixon said he wants to restore campaign contribution limits and ban lobbyist gifts. Other changes Nixon recommended included stopping the practice of allowing lawmakers to immediately become lobbyists after leaving office.
This is Nixon’s final year as governor. He’s barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.
Legislative leaders have also outlined ethics as a main goal for the session. The momentum follows the resignations in 2015 of two lawmakers accused of inappropriate behavior toward interns.