Efforts to curb insider trading among county officials in Pennsylvania are gaining momentum as election boards in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties prepare to review proposed ballot questions for the upcoming November election. These proposals aim to prohibit county employees from using insider information for stock trading.
The Lackawanna County Board of Elections has scheduled a meeting for Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Government Center, according to Beth Hopkins, the elections director. Meanwhile, Luzerne County’s Board of Elections and Registration will convene on August 19 at 6 p.m. in the County Courthouse, as per board solicitor Gene Molino.
‘A groundswell of support’
A grassroots initiative led by Action Together NEPA has gathered substantial backing, with 17,318 signatures collected in Lackawanna County, far exceeding the 8,900 required, as confirmed by Hopkins. In Luzerne County, the group amassed 23,323 signatures, more than double the 11,650 needed, stated Jessica Brittain, the group’s communications director.
Overall, more than 40,641 residents, or about 11.4% of registered voters in both counties, have shown support for the initiative. Alisha Hoffman-Mirilovich, Action Together’s executive director, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited that we had this tremendous grassroots effort and just the voter enthusiasm that has come through in this.”
Jennifer Partyka, a registered nurse and the lead filer on the Lackawanna petitions, echoed the sentiment, saying it seems like “common sense” to expect public accountability from officials.
The Luzerne ballot question
Proposed Luzerne County Nov. 3 Insider Stock Trading Ballot Question: “Shall the Luzerne County Home Rule Charter be amended to require specifically that the Accountability, Conduct, and Ethics Code prohibit County elected officials and employees from engaging in individual stock trades or predication market bets that are based on nonpublic information obtained in the course of their official County service and provide annual reporting of ethics complaints and stock trades involving County, state, and federal elected officials representing the County?”
The proposed change in Luzerne County intends to prevent local officials from trading or betting based on confidential information. Additional amendments would mandate the county manager to suggest changes to the ethics code within four months of the charter’s amendment. An annual report summarizing ethics complaints and stock trades by officials would also be required.
Gene Molino stated that the petitions have been accepted by the Bureau of Elections, and the board’s task is to approve the ballot question.
The Lackawanna ballot question
Proposed Lackawanna County Nov. 3 Insider Stock Trading Ballot Question: “Shall the Lackawanna County Home Rule Charter be amended to require specifically that the Lackawanna County Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics prohibit County elected officials and employees from engaging in individual stock trades or predication market bets based on nonpublic information obtained in the course of their official County service and provide annual reporting of ethics complaints and stock trades involving County, state, and federal elected officials representing the County?”
The Lackawanna proposal aims to amend its home rule charter to prevent stock trading by county employees using nonpublic information. The county solicitor would also need to produce an annual report on ethics complaints and stock trades.
Anthony Lomma, the election board solicitor, is examining the legality of including such a question on the ballot due to concerns that it may encompass a broad range of officials, including federal representatives.
‘Shocked’ at popularity of proposal
Despite legal scrutiny, Hoffman-Mirilovich remains confident, asserting, “We’ve gone through all of the legal, like the different language… This has been vetted through multiple sources.”
Jessica Brittain indicated that the overwhelming support has fueled optimism for the campaign, stating, “I mean we were expecting it to be popular. Those numbers shocked us.”
