State Ethics Panel OKs New Conflict-Of-Interest Rule

BOSTON (AP) — The state Ethics Commission has signed off on a change in the state's conflict-of-interest rules that would allow state and municipal officials to hold on to certain contracts with government agencies after they take office.

State Sen. Dan Wolf, a Harwich Democrat and co-founder of Cape Air, was told earlier this year that he would have to leave office unless he severed the regional airline's contracts with Logan International Airport.

The draft rule change approved by the commission on Monday would allow public officials to maintain non-negotiable contracts that were not competitively bid and predate their election or appointment to office.

Public hearings must be held before the new rule is finalized.

Wolf recently ended his bid for governor but is hoping to remain in the Legislature.

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