justuravgjoe762 t1_j9m60az wrote on February 22, 2023 at 11:36 PM

Reply to comment by Trout-Population in Did PA governor’s trip to Super Bowl violate gift ban? by Regular-Host-1791

The rules were adjusted, Wolf had an outright ban. Shapiro changed the rules so small gifts (<$25) can now be accepted.

kellyb1985 t1_j9mdq9q wrote on February 23, 2023 at 12:32 AM

From a practical standpoint, it's probably necessary to be able to receive some level of gifts. Anything under $50-75 would seem reasonable to me.

justuravgjoe762 t1_j9momjp wrote on February 23, 2023 at 1:51 AM

The part that got me was the legislative folks had a $500 limit. The standard commonwealth employee under Wolf couldn't accept a bottle of water, pen or a calendar.

Now tell me, who has more power in the state system. The folks who vote on how the laws are made or the guy sweeping the floor?

ewyorksockexchange t1_j9oezy9 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 12:51 PM

The executive branch doesn’t have the ability to establish a policy for legislative staffers. Also worth noting that the $500 threshold isn’t a limit on receiving gifts, it’s the threshold for having to report receiving a gift.

ewyorksockexchange t1_j9mlcg7 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 1:27 AM

I worked for an organization for a while that had various events involving state officials to discuss state business. They couldn’t even accept a cup of coffee or bottle of water without requesting an invoice from us when Wolf’s gift ban went into effect.

I understand disclosure and limiting even small gifts that have the potential to corrupt, but having to charge an executive branch agency because one of their staff members grabbed a donut at a breakfast event seemed excessive.

That said, Shapiro’s acceptance of the Super Bowl trip for himself and others is concerning. And I say this as someone who met him on many occasions, worked with his office (while Montco commissioner), and supports and voted for him.