State Auditor, Treasurer to Refuse Gifts
Tom Wagner, Velda Jones-Potter vow to refuse all gifts by lobbyists and vendorsFor Immediate Release: Monday, Feruary 9, 2009
DOVER - State Auditor Tom Wagner and State Treasurer Velda Jones-Potter announced today that they will honor Governor Markell's wishes by refusing to accept gifts from lobbyists and vendors.
"I am in total agreement with the Governor's proposal," Wagner said. "And while our offices are exempt from this order, I will adhere to it."
As independently elected officials, the State Auditor and State Treasurer are exempt from following Governor's Executive Orders, but Mr. Wagner and Mrs. Jones-Potter made it clear that it is their intention to adhere to the Governor's wishes in this regard.
"In light of all of the 'pay to play' scandals that headline our newspapers on a daily basis, there is absolutely no reason why any of us as elected officials should be entitled to any gift or gratuity based simply on the fact that we hold elective office," Jones-Potter said. "I think Governor Markell's Executive Order is a great first step to help restore citizen's faith in government."
