New & Noteworthy
Hartford Foundation Submits Testimony in Support of An Act Increasing Various Monetary Thresholds Under The State Codes Of Ethics
On Friday, February 7, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving submitted testimony to the General Assembly’s Government Administration and Elections Committee in support of Senate Bill 1227, An Act Increasing Various Monetary Thresholds Under The State Codes Of Ethics.
As part of our efforts to dismantle structural racism and improve social and economic mobility for Black and Latine residents of Greater Hartford, the Hartford Foundation supports civic and resident engagement in our region. We have awarded resources to support voting, participation in local government, volunteering, and sharing ideas on how policies and public resources can be used to make our community a better place. Our grantmaking supports resident leadership and opportunities for resident-led collective action. The foundation believes it is vital that policy decisions are informed by a diverse group of residents who are impacted by the actions at City Hall and the State Capitol.
The foundation has long recognized the importance of bringing together members of the community to discuss issues of concern in our region. This includes state elected officials, state agency staff, and their family members. Throughout the year, the foundation holds a variety of events, including those hosted by one of the foundation’s three giving circles, our annual event to celebrate the work of area nonprofits and donors, and issue forums highlighting new data that often feature national and regional thought leaders. Most recently as part of its Centennial celebrations, the foundation has hosted a series of events to celebrate the volunteers from the 29-town Greater Together Community Funds at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving committees. We encourage participation from government officials to ensure that they can learn with us about the work nonprofits and volunteers are doing first-hand.
As a registered lobbying organization since 2014, the foundation includes a question on all of its RSVP forms asking guests to identify if they are a public official, state employee, or an immediate family member of a public official or state employee. Many of our convening events do offer refreshments for attendees. While we strive to keep costs down as much as possible, these refreshments often exceed $10 (easily surpassed with current food prices). We share this information for state elected officials, state employees, and their immediate family members with the Office of State Ethics (OSE) and those individuals.
When the annual $50 threshold is exceeded, the foundation informs OSE and also sends a bill requesting reimbursement from any impacted guest. We know that some of our community stakeholders have curtailed their attendance at our convenings due at least in part to receiving a bill for coming to an event. This also potentially curtails our efforts to have dialogue with state officials about potential public-private partnerships.
The foundation recognizes the importance of eliminating even the appearance of impropriety or exacting undue influence and fully supports these efforts. Unfortunately, the modest limits that are currently in place based on legislation passed in 1997 make it challenging to engage with stakeholders. People end up avoiding events that include even small offerings of food and beverage.
For these reasons, the foundation offers its support for the intent of Senate Bill 1227, which seeks to modestly adjust monetary thresholds in Connecticut's State Codes of Ethics to adjust for inflation and potentially reduce administrative burdens. The foundation also suggests that the legislation include a mechanism to regularly consider and adjust, as needed, the various thresholds on food, beverages and gifts for inflation.
It is vital that the legislature strike a balance between ensuring organizations and individuals engage with elected officials and state employees in an ethical fashion with ensuring that organizations have the ability to engage and participate in the democratic process.
The Hartford Foundation looks forward to continuing its collaboration with state and local partners on issues that advance critical community issues.