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Mass. Lawmakers Reach Deal On Ethics Reform Bill
Massachusetts legislative leaders have reached agreement on a final version of a bill to toughen state ethics standards.
A person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement said a press conference is planned later Wednesday to unveil details of the bill.
It has been the subject of negotiations by a six-member committee charged with hammering out a compromise between separate House and Senate versions.
Both bills would double the penalty for violating lobbying laws to $10,000 and increase the penalty for bribery of state officials to $100,000 and 10 years in prison.
Critics have faulted the Senate bill saying it would weaken the state Ethics Commission.
Gov. Deval Patrick has threatened to veto a sales tax hike approved by lawmakers unless they deliver him an ethics reform bill first.
This program aired on June 24, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.