Shapiro keeps gift ban for employees stricter than law

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks after taking the oath of office to become Pennsylvania's 48th governor, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks after taking the oath of office to become Pennsylvania's 48th governor, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Photo credit AP Photo/Matt Rourke

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Josh Shapiro says he'll keep in place a ban on executive-branch employees receiving gifts of influence that is stricter than state law, but relax some provisions under his predecessor. Under Shapiro’s new executive order signed Friday, the roughly 80,000 executive-branch employees are banned from soliciting or accepting anything above minimal value from people seeking to influence them, such as lobbyists or government contractors. But Shapiro's order allows employees to accept smaller items of hospitality or thanks without paying for it, such as an infrequent meal, bottle of water, cup of coffee, plaque or mug. That relaxes a stricter ban put in place in 2015 by former Gov. Tom Wolf.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke