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Gifts: Pennsylvania Allows Them But the New Governor Won't

Gov.-elect Tom Wolf is restricting members of his transition team from accepting gifts of any kind, a ban that he soon plans to extend throughout the executive branch of state government.

Gov.-elect Tom Wolf is restricting members of his transition team from accepting gifts of any kind, a ban that he soon plans to extend throughout the executive branch of state government.

 

A gift ban was included in an ethical conduct code that the Democrat said Tuesday he is requiring transition employees to sign. As governor, he plans to issue an executive order making it policy for executive-branch employees, a spokesman said.

 

"It's what Tom refers to as the 'just say no thank you' rule," said Wolf spokesman Jeffrey Sheridan.

 

State law allows gifts of any value to public officials, including lawmakers, and requires disclosure only when the annual value reaches $250 for gifts or $650 for "free" travel, meals and lodging.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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