Some see new Montco ethics policy as political move

The political actions of some Montgomery County employees may be restricted. Two commissioners there have approved an ordinance to prevent about 200 county employees from doing things like political fundraising, and running for public office. But not everyone in Montgomery County thinks the ordinance is a good idea.

The political actions of some Montgomery County employees may be restricted. Two commissioners there have approved an ordinance to prevent about 200 county employees from doing things like political fundraising, and running for public office. But not everyone in Montgomery County thinks the ordinance is a good idea.

Transcript:
Supporters call it ethics policy. The Montgomery County commissioner who voted against the ordinance and other opponents says it’s a power grab.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman says to her the ordinance looks like a political maneuver, not real ethics reform.

Ferman: “It seems to me they’re over-stepping their bounds because they’ve put together a political prohibition that primarily applies to the district attorney’s office and not many others. I’m really looking at issues of independence – the independence of the office of the district attorney and the other row offices and our ability as independently-elected officials to govern our own offices.”

Ferman questions whether the Commissioners’ actions go beyond their legal abilities, and says she may challenge the ordinance in court.

Listen:
Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090406ethics.mp3]