FLIP-FLOP OF THE WEEK: DISCLOSING PUTTING FAMILY MEMBERS ON STATE PAYROLL

Flip-Flop of the Week: Volume 1, Issue 19
Hatch Flip-Flops on Disclosing Putting Family
Members On State Payroll

1990: Candidate Hatch Called For Disclosure When Immediate Family Members Are Hired As Lobbyists Or By Companies That Contract With The State. "DFL gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch joined the chorus of ethics critics Wednesday with a proposal for cleaning up state government that includes a ban on campaign contributions from lobbyists. … Hatch said his proposals include… Requiring disclosure when immediate family members of public officials are hired as lobbyists or by companies that contract with the state." (“Hatch Wants To Do Away With PACs,” Pioneer Press, February 15, 1990)

1991: Press Accounts Revealed Hatch Had Put Niece On State Payroll As Commerce Commissioner. "Mike Hatch, who sought the DFL gubernatorial nomination last year, acknowledged Tuesday that putting his niece on the state payroll when he was commerce commissioner looked bad. But he defended the hiring and also denied any impropriety in his relationship with a company to which he awarded an $800,000 state contract. The company has employed both Hatch's top campaign aide and his niece, and people close to the company contributed money to Hatch's 1990 campaign, the Star Tribune reported Tuesday." (“Hatch Admits Putting Niece On State Payroll Looked Bad,” Pioneer Press, August 7, 1991)

Tags: Tim Pawlenty, Steve Kelley, Mike Hatch, Kelly Doran, Sheila Kiscaden, Becky Lourey, Russ Koch