NEW LAW ALLOWS GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR TO RUN AS TEAM

An election bill, signed July 12, requires the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to run as a team in the general primary election.

House Bill 5820 (P.A. 96-1018) was introduced following controversy surrounding the 2010 Democrat primary election win of a largely unknown candidate, Scott Lee Cohen.

Cohen later bowed out of the race following media revelations that raised serious concerns about his qualifications and character.

CORRUPT POLITICIANS WOULD FOREIT FUNDS

Also signed July 12, Senate Bill 2551 (P.A. 96-1019) will force corrupt politicians convicted of strong-arming state contractors for campaign kickbacks to forfeit all political funds under their control.

The new law creates a public corruption profit forfeiture provision that would require automatic forfeiture of all political contributions held by a political committee or organization controlled by someone convicted of certain criminal violations.

These violations include intimidation by a public official, including threatening to take, cause or withhold action as a public official against anyone or anything; bribery involving a public officer or public employee; and providing, soliciting, or accepting kickbacks in connection with public contracting.

PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS FROM FRAUD

Also last week, two laws to protect homeowners from home repair fraud were signed by the Governor.

Senate Bill 3645 (P.A. 96-1026) increases the penalty for home repair fraud when committed by someone working on a project intended to assist a disabled person.

Senate Bill 2540 (P.A. 96-1023) allows homeowners who suffer actual damages during a home repair or remodel to pursue legal action for consumer fraud and deceptive business practices.